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News & Highlights
News & Highlights
Our History Alive e-Letter:
August, 2013: July was a pioneering month for our 169-year-old institution. We tried some crowd sourcing with our friends at Kickstarter, and our new foray into the computer world was a great success! But we're not finished just yet - our 200 volunteer stitchers continue their diligent work on the flag. This month, we are hosting two special Public Sewing Days with free museum admission all day, so you can check out our Woman of Two Worlds: Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte and Her Quest for an Imperial Legacy exhibition, and more. We're also partnering with Fort McHenry Historic Monument and Shrine, The United States Mint, and the U.S. Army to put on a truly spectactular Defenders Day celebration this September. Click for all of the details.
Stitching History: Recreating the Star-Spangled Banner Project
July, 2013: To celebrate the 200th anniversary of our beloved Star Spangled Banner, we want to recreate the flag with the same materials used by Mary Pickersgill, and do so in the same time frame.
It is a work of public art in every sense of the word. A team of nearly 200 experienced stitchers, from appliqué guilds all around the state, has come together to sew the flag, one stitch at a time, completely by hand. They will be working in 8-hour shifts over the course of six weeks.
You and I have an opportunity to add our stitch to the flag and be a part of its momentous history during our Public Sewing Days on August 3 and August 11. (And we promise some entertaining surprises in store on those days, as well).Read on for more. >>
Our 'Woman of Two Worlds:' Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte Exhibit
Now Open: Our 'Woman of Two Worlds: Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte and Her Quest for an Imperial Legacy' exhibition. Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte was one of the femme fatales of the War of 1812 generation, setting the gossipmongers atwitter with her revealing empire dresses at society events. Her marriage to Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger brother Jerome became an international drama. Even at ninety-four, Elizabeth was still making news as one of America’s richest women.
The exhibition illustrates the ‘two worlds’ of France and America that Elizabeth inhabited and showcases her pearl and garnet tiara, silver, porcelain, paintings, textiles, jewelry, manuscripts, furniture and one of her "scandalous" dresses in the French-style. Curator-led tours will be offered on Sunday, June 9th at 1pm and 3pm, and on Thursday, June 20th at 6pm. Details here.
From Our Friends
Foundation for Appraisal Education Educational Seminar at Quinn’s in September 5-7.
This is a fabulous opportunity to get educational credits with top-notch speakers. Quinn’s went above and beyond last year with continental breakfasts, lunches, and a cocktail party. You’ll see that they’re wonderful hosts again this year.
Read more >>
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.











