Welcome to the Friends of West Baltimore Squares

The Friends of West Baltimore Squares is a new organization dedicated to the celebration of West Baltimore’s unique historic squares and parks through events, outreach and advocacy. Launched in February 2011 by Baltimore Heritage in partnership with the Parks & People Foundation, the Watershed 263 Council and neighborhood leaders in Franklin Square, Harlem Park, Lafayette Square, Perkins Square and Union Square, our goal is to support the expanded use and appreciation of historic parks, connect West Baltimore residents and leaders interested in urban greening and historic preservation, and offer fun new ways to explore West Baltimore neighborhoods.

Please stay connected with our new effort by visiting the Friends of West Baltimore Squares website, connecting with us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter. If you are a resident of West Baltimore, interested in supporting the Friends of West Baltimore Squares as a volunteer, or interested in attending any of our fun upcoming events, please sign up for our e-mail list and keep an eye on our calendar. We have also started a small discussion list for anyone who’d like to contribute their own ideas to the project.

Finally, we invite everyone to join us for our inaugural West Baltimore Squares Spring Walk and Celebration on the evening of Saturday, April 30. We’ll walk from Union Square to Lafayette Square through five great historic parks ending with a celebration at Lafayette Square with light refreshments & music starting at 7:00 PM followed by a movie screening at 7:30 PM. We hope you can join us on April 30 for the start of this new exciting effort!

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Jensen House

What does someone who spends all day mounting exhibits at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History do when he gets home? Why, he stages vignettes of his collections, of course. Please join us on a tour of the home of Brian Jensen. His vast collection, which includes Victrolas, vintage appliances, and a working 1927 Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, are a must-see. Wine and cheese will be served.

Jensen House

27 East 21st Street, 21218
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
$15 for members; $20 for non-members
RSVP today!

Space is limited so sign up early! Confirmations will be sent by email, and payment will be due upon confirmation. For additional information and questions, call Marsha Wise at 443-306-3369, or email wise@baltimoreheritage.org.

Brian Jensen purchased his circa 1879 rowhouse in 1976. Although it was in need of much repair, Brian saw the home’s potential in the high ceilings, curved walls, carved staircase, and wall niches. He took advantage of a low-interest loan offered by Baltimore City to make it inhabitable. Today it houses over 40 years of collecting. When a power-outage hits the neighborhood his home is the only one still ablaze in light as the home boasts period gas chandeliers. Brian’s most prize possession is his working 1927 Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was removed from the State Theatre in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and brought to Maryland by its purchaser. Brian, a lover of pipe organ music, jumped at the opportunity to buy it when the Maryland owner decided to sell. He and the organ were meant to be together. He had a great-aunt Winnie who had been a silent film organist at the end of the era. Recalling that she had mentioned living in North Carolina, he asked her about the State Theatre. She said, “I remember playing that organ.” The blowers for the organ reside in Brian’s basement and the pipes are installed in a room on the third floor.

Progress and setbacks at Baltimore’s Hebrew Orphan Asylum


The past few months have seen both modest progress for our efforts to preserve and reuse Baltimore’s Hebrew Orphan Asylum and a setback to the condition of the building. On the afternoon of February 25, high winds combined with continued deterioration of the roof caused a significant collapse to the rear wall of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. The collapse dropped a large amount of brick and other debris into the lot behind the building. Fortunately, none of the residents or staff at the adjoining Tuerk House were injured and Coppin State University, with assistance from Brawner Contractor Inc., took quick action to erect a safety fence around the area. Coppin State University, in consultation with its contractor and structural engineers, has started the process of assessing the damages to the building and preparing plans for the design and reconstruction of the collapsed building elements. Additional photos of the building both before and after the recent collapse are available in the Friends of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum Flickr set.

Despite this new challenge, Baltimore Heritage and Coppin State University are continuing to move forward with planning, education and outreach efforts to ensure a vital future for this nationally important Baltimore building. With funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Maryland, the Coppin Heights CDC is working with development consultant Ms. Wendy Blair to prepare a feasibility study on the reuse of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. The study will explore a range of possible uses and include an opportunity this spring for area residents and others to share their own perspectives on the revitalization of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and the former Lutheran Hospital site. Baltimore Heritage is partnering with the Coppin Heights CDC to facilitate this public input process over the next few months.

Our continuing programs have expanded the Friends of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum Facebook page to over 100 supporters with hundreds more on our e-mail list. In early February, over 30 of you came out to the Pratt Library Edmondson Avenue Branch for our program on the past and future of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. In early March, we had the opportunity to share the story of the how Baltimore’s Jewish community established and built the orphanage with a group of Towson University students in Dr. Valerie Thaler’s American Jewish History class. Finally, Anita Kassof, Assistant Director of the Jewish Museum of Maryland, highlighted the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in a recent article for “Generations,” the JMM’s annual magazine. The article tells the story of how the Hebrew Orphan Asylum offered a caring home for orphaned and destitute children under the leadership of Rabbi Samuel Freudenthal.

We’re are looking for more opportunities to share information on the rich history and exciting future of this great Baltimore landmark. Please invite us to come out and speak with your group or congregation this spring!

Explore five historic neighborhoods this spring with Baltimore by Foot

Baltimore by Foot, our annual spring walking tour series, provides thought-provoking guided strolls that uncover the buildings, stories and places that weave the cultural fabric of Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods. This spring you can join Baltimore Heritage us in exploring our city’s rich past and exciting future. Walking tours are $15 for members and $25 for non-members.

Our Spring 2011 tours include these five unique historic neighborhoods–

  • Waverly | April 23, 10 AM to 12 PM
  • Station North Arts & Entertainment District | April 30, 10 AM to 12 PM
  • Morgan Park | May 7, 10 AM to 12 PM
  • Franklin Square | May 14, 10 AM to 12 PM
  • Lauraville | May 21, 10 AM to 12 PM

Learn more about these tours and our knowledgeable guides or go ahead and RSVP for a tour or two today! Our Waverly and Lauraville tours have already sold out but there is still room for more on our Station North, Morgan Park, and Franklin Square tours. Members find out about these tours before anyone else, so if you have not joined already please become a member today.