We tell stories of people, places and neighborhoods in Baltimore

Baltimore Heritage features a number of ongoing educational history programs to research, document, share, and celebrate Baltimore’s rich architectural and social heritage. Our programs include both special events and ongoing research and documentation programs: 

 
Read more below! 

Explore Baltimore Heritage — Local history in your pocket

Discover the stories behind Baltimore’s historic buildings and neighborhoods with our Explore Baltimore Heritage website and smartphone application! Explore our digital collection of stories and historic images or download for iPhone and Android devices. Learn more about the Explore Baltimore Heritage project and our partners.

Centennial Homes — Families at the heart of historic neighborhoods

The Baltimore Centennial Homes project, developed in collaboration between Baltimore Heritage and City Councilman James Kraft, recognizes families that have been in the same house for 100 years or more. Learn more about our Centennial Homes program.

Legacy Businesses – Still working after 100 years

Just as much as our harbor and our great neighborhoods, Baltimore’s longstanding businesses are a central part of what makes our city unique. Our Legacy Business Program highlights the city’s businesses that have survived for over 100 years and are still going today.

Adopt-A-Monument – Maintaining Baltimore’s historic monuments

Recognizing the importance of maintaining these public works of art and the reality that the city’s budget cannot cover all these costs, the Adopt-A-Monument program invites individuals and organizations to make an annual contribution to ensure the preservation of these monuments. 

New community history partners!

Greater Hampden Heritage Alliance

Greater Hampden Heritage AllianceWe are excited to highlight our new partnership with the Greater Hampden Heritage Alliance—an exciting new resident-led effort formed in early 2014 to bring attention to the Hampden area’s rich history, from the shops on the Avenue, to the mills and the people who worked in them. Their goal is to preserve the stories and places of the past through community engagement. Learn more about their projects and upcoming events.

Northeast Baltimore History Roundtable

The Northeast History Roundtable was formed in partnership with Baltimore Heritage in 2014 to foster knowledge of and appreciation of this area’s rich history. Members are currently working on the Lauraville Heritage Project, which will include self-guided and speaker-guided walking tours, the collection of oral histories, and articles about early residents and life in Lauraville. Learn more.

Learn more about Baltimore history and architecture

LGBTQ Heritage

Baltimore Heritage has started a new initiative to highlight the historic places significant to Baltimore’s LGBT community through tour and education programs. Learn more about our LBGTQ Heritage programs and partnerships.

Baltimore 1814

Baltimore 1814 is an online collection of short stories on the history of Baltimore, the War of 1812, and the world of 1814. Throughout all of 2014, check out new short stories every week highlighting events that took place on the same date in 1814. Most of our stories are set in Baltimore but occasional features on events in Maryland and around the world will help us see our city’s, history in a broader context.

Check out Baltimore 1814 today or go directly to a few of our favorite stories like St. Patrick’s Day in Baltimore or the Francis Asbury memorial for William Otterbein or the origins of the design of Baltimore’s Washington Monument.

Race and Place in Baltimore Neighborhoods

Dr. Ed Orser at Lauretta Avenue, October 23, 2010.
Dr. Ed Orser at Lauretta Avenue, October 23, 2010.

Race and Places in Baltimore Neighborhoods explored the history of segregation, civil rights, and community development in historically African-American Baltimore communities. Learn more about Race and Place in Baltimore Neighborhoods.

Witness to the War of 1812

Battle Monument, 1900Through tours, research and more, we’re remembering the history of the War of 1812 together with the Baltimore landmarks that witnessed the battles that shaped our city’s history. Learn more.

Recent Updates

Announcing More Spring & Summer Tours!

March 10, 2023

We are so thrilled to be returning to our regular walking tour programming that we have decided to add even more options! Please check out the following new additions to our tour schedule. Jonestown & the Shot Tower Jonestown is one of Baltimore’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. On April 8, we hope… Read more

Sellers Mansion after the February 24, 2024 fire

Update: Sellers Mansion Demolished

February 24, 2023

Update, 2-27-23: The building was demolished the late afternoon of 2-24-23. Click here for more information. We’re sad to report that the historic Sellers Mansion on Lafayette Square had a terrible fire this morning. The mansion has been a part of the square since the very beginning in 1868. We… Read more