Baltimore Heritage

Society’s Cage is a timely interpretive installation on the National Mall in Washington, DC on view from August 28-September 6. The project was conceived and designed by the architecture firm SmithGroup in partnership with the Architects Foundation in the aftermath of the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor murders as our society reckons with institutional racism and white supremacy. The public installation features a bold interpretive pavilion sculpted to symbolize the historic forces of racialized state violence. The experience educates visitors and functions as a sanctuary to reflect, record and share personal thoughts. It is conceived in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as a mechanism for building empathy and healing.

Hear some of the many stories of the historic Peale Museum building, from its origins as the first purpose-built museum in the country, to the introduction of gaslight technology to the city, to its role as Baltimore’s first City Hall and public high school for people of color. Get a glimpse of what is coming next as the Peale relaunches as a center for Baltimore stories and studies, and a laboratory for reinventing the museum for the 21st century in the creative and innovative spirit of the Peale family.

Join author Jean Baker to learn about the life and works of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, America's first professional architect. Most of the lecture will focus on his work in Baltimore especially the Basilica and the Merchants Exchange.