From industrial waterfront to the city’s center of tourism and festivities, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has seen remarkable transformations. Join us to walk the history of our waterfront and discover public art hiding in plain sight, historic ships and their ballasts used as street pavers, and the National Aquarium’s Harbor Wetlands Project for a glimpse into what the harbor looked like more than 300 years ago – and maybe what it can look like again in the future.
On June 11, join us for another tour of our new series, Light City Baltimore, to experience our city in the evening and in a brand new light! Beginning in the 1600s, waves of immigrants from England, Germany, and over the last 100 years Sicily, Naples and Abruzzi have defined the place along the banks of the Jones Falls that we now call Little Italy. Join Baltimore Heritage Executive Director Johns Hopkins to learn a little more about the neighborhood’s standouts like bocce ball, St. Leo’s Church, and the power-house residence of Tommy D’Alesandro and his daughter Nancy Pelosi. We’ll also hear a few colorful stories, including about gangster Al Capone’s four month stint in Charm City and our hometown hero Spiro Agnew’s fall from grace. And we’ll finish at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry shop for a classic sweet treat. Make it a Baltimore night and grab dinner in Little Italy, then walk it off on our tour!
Join us to celebrate the Maryland Zoo’s 150th birthday with a new walking tour around its historic grounds led by Zoo staff. Discover the history of the zoo and several of its important landmarks, including iron-barred cages and other structures built when the Rogers Mansion was still a private residence. As we walk, we’ll hear about the zoo’s first elephant, Mary Ann, and we might even glimpse some penguins. We hope you’ll join us to experience a walk through the past, which will showcase how far zoological organizations have come from menageries of exotic creatures to expert conservation centers for endangered species!
Join us to walk through Patterson Park and through time starting back when it was officially created in 1827. During the War of 1812, the park saw action defending Baltimore. And during the Civil War, troops here made sure Maryland didn’t secede from the Union. The park has been used for strolling, fishing, hockey, swimming, festivals and even as a beef market. Over its 198-year history, it has grown from 6 acres to 137 acres, partially thanks to the famous Olmsted Firm. Discover the history of Patterson Park, which is in many ways the story of Baltimore itself, and see how it really is "the best backyard in Baltimore."