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News & Highlights

News & Highlights

Commodore Joshua Barney’s Personal Objects Gifted by Descendants

Personal objects belonging to War of 1812 Hero Commodore Joshua Barney have been gifted to the Maryland Historical Society by Barney’s descendants. The objects, which include Barney’s pistol, his spyglass, his personal journal, and hundreds of letters and documents, will serve to broaden understanding of Barney's activities between 1812 and 1814 as well as his relationship with his family. Click here for all of the important details.

Our History Alive Newsletter:

December, 2014:  Since our very first days the Maryland Historical Society has always been concerned about protecting the incredible collection entrusted to us. Our founders first used fireproof safes at the Franklin Bank building in Baltimore. The Society was careful to include multiple fireproof rooms in the design of our first permanent home, the Athenaeum. With the gift of the Enoch Pratt house to the Society in 1919, along with other additions over the last century, our collection finally gained the structural protection it enjoys to this day. Fast forward to 2014, click here for more.

 

An Historic Trip

Star-Spangled Banner Manuscript Visits George Washington's Mount Vernon

In celebration of the bicentennial of the National Anthem, the Maryland Historical Society and George Washington’s Mount Vernon joined forces for an event of historic proportions. In October, the original handwritten manuscript of the "Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics, written by Francis Scott Key, went on loan to George Washington’s estate, marking its first and only visit to the state of Virginia. Click here for the full article.

 

A Presidential Visit!

September, 2014: President Obama visited Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine to see the original Star-Spangled Banner Manuscript! This special event was part of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the Star-Spangled Spectacular celebration --  Learn more here!

 

Welcome to the Maryland Historical Society

This is your starting place for exploring the people, places and events that shaped Maryland’s past. Whether you are a student researching a paper, a teacher in need of a lesson plan, a family looking for fun things to do, a collector of rare objects, an amateur genealogist or a lover of period clothing, furniture or rare documents, we can help. You will find everything you need right here – including links to activities, guides and holdings at more than 300 other Maryland historical sites and institutions. Quickly access the information you need, or let our experts point you in the right direction.