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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Elizabeth Talford Scott and the Crazy Quilt Tradition: Opening February 1, 2024
 Material & Memories

Material & Memories

Featuring Abstract #1 by Elizabeth Talford Scott in dialogue with responsive works by the African American Quilters of Baltimore and historic quilts from MCHC’s collection.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Plan Your Visit
 Eubie Blake Piano

Eubie Blake Piano

A celesta piano owned by Baltimore jazz musician James Hubert "Eubie" Blake (1887-1983). Made by Mustel & Company in Paris, France. Circa 1923.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Passion and Purpose: Voices of Maryland's Civil Rights Activists
 Explore the Exhibit

Explore the Exhibit

MCHC’s oral history collections are at the heart of the exhibition. Visitors encounter excerpts of oral history conversations with dozens of notable civil rights leaders.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Plan Your Visit
 Hutzler’s box

Hutzler’s box

Collar box, circa 1880. Philip Harry Foxman (1885-1955) of Baltimore donated this item to the Hutzler Brothers Company Archives. He worked in the furniture business for many years.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
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 Claire/McCardell

Claire/McCardell

Claire McCardell redefined women’s fashion in America during the 1930s –1950s and she continues to influence American sportswear today.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Plan Your Visit
 Antietam shadow box

Antietam shadow box

Shadow box made in 1886 by John Philemon Smith who witnessed the Battle of Antietam. It records the dedication of the Antietam National Cemetery in 1867 and lists Union soldiers who died.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Plan Your Visit
 Etting Mug

Etting Mug

To commemorate their contribution to history, the men who defended North Point and Fort McHenry in 1814 scratched their names into this six-inch tall tin mug owned by Samuel Etting.

Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.

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Explore the Future of MCHC

The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) is poised for the future, following the newly-developed 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.

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The Maryland Center for History and Culture is more than a Museum and Library. We provide space for discovery and developing a deeper understanding of the nation’s history and culture through the lens of Maryland.

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Current Exhibitions

Passion and Purpose

Passion and Purpose

Voices of Maryland’s Civil Rights Activists

Marylanders have been at the forefront of the national Black freedom struggle, from lawsuits that revealed the lies of the “separate but equal” doctrine in the 1930s and ’40s, to massive protests in the streets during the 1960s that forced a nation to confront its moral consciousness. This legacy continues through today. Visitors to Passion and Purpose learn and draw inspiration from the lived experiences of these activists who make up a complex mosaic of the long and continuing fight for civil rights in Maryland and the nation. This exhibition is on long-term view.

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Profile photograph of Claire McCardell.
Current Exhibitions

Claire / McCardell

Claire / McCardell

Open through November 2024

Claire McCardell redefined women’s fashion in America during the 1930s –1950s and she continues to influence American sportswear today. By designing for modern American women like herself, McCardell became synonymous with the American fashion rebellion. Beneath her dynamic, confident, and strong-willed business persona, Claire was a shy introvert in conflict with this perceived identity. Through family letters, personal interviews, and archival documents, juxtaposed with examples of McCardell’s designs spanning her career, this exhibition gives a more intimate look at the woman behind the iconic label. This exhibition is curated by Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellow Robyn Levy. Support for this Fellowship is generously provided by the Tory Burch Foundation.

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Black and white portrait of Scott smiling, both hands are held to her lower face. Her face and hands fill the frame.
Current Exhibitions

Material & Memories

Material & Memories

Elizabeth Talford Scott and the Crazy Quilt Tradition

Talford Scott’s work as the centerpiece of this collaborative exhibition which engages the crazy quilt form in dialogue with responsive works by the African American Quilters of Baltimore and the antique quilts in MCHC’s collection. Crafted from the scraps of family members’ clothing and decorative household fabrics, these quilts are deeply personal “landscapes of memory.” Of Abstract #1, Elizabeth Talford Scott said, “This is a family quilt, all something from the family. Everything that I didn’t want to throw out I saved a piece of it.” In 1999, MCHC partnered with the Maryland Institute College of Art’s Exhibition Development Seminar to present Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds, and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott, a retrospective of her work. Material and Memories reconnects MCHC as a community partner with the Baltimore Museum of Art’s anniversary show, presenting Talford Scott’s work at locations throughout Baltimore City.

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Current Exhibitions

The Unfinished Revolution

The Unfinished Revolution

Maryland in the Wars for Independence

The Unfinished Revolution explores the turmoil of the United States’ emergence on the world stage between 1775 and 1815. The exhibition highlights two points that became certain—the country’s revolution remained unfinished, and Marylanders of many races and creeds were at the forefront of each conflict. This exhibition is on long-term view.

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2200
Paintings + Miniatures
2200
Native American Objects
866
Pieces of Jewelry
900
Pieces of Furniture

Library

Dedicated to preserving the irreplaceable history of Maryland

The H. Furlong Baldwin Library invites visitors to explore the records of Maryland’s past and preserves irreplaceable historical materials for future generations.

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Library Catalog

Search for books, periodicals, pamphlets, manuscripts, maps and more.
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Digital Collections

View digitized paintings, photographs, prints, and other materials.
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Paul Robeson, photograph by Paul Henderson, 1948, HEN.00.A2-156

Shake Up Maryland History!

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Educational Programs

Students gain essential social studies skills by engaging with our collections in person and virtually.

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Membership

A Word From Our Members

Our members believe what we believe: history can illuminate the past, lend perspective to the present, and inform the future. Don’t take our word for it. Hear what they have to say.

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There is a lot to be gained by joining which contributes to the preservation of so many items in the [MCHC] collection that are precious to our country’s history. The museum was a surprise to me, and had me engaged for hours. The gift shop had so many lovely things, and the discount offered to members is a great incentive to purchasing books. When I cannot get to [the MCHC], they have an online collection that allows access to amazing documentation.
Kimberly K. Walters, Member Since 2017
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100+ Years of the Maryland Historical Magazine

Read past issues digitized through a partnership with the Maryland State Archives. Enjoy print copies mailed to you with membership.

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Blogs & Updates

All Updates
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September 29, 2022

A Major Booster Event for Baltimore

Post published September 29, 2022 One hundred eight years ago this fall, the city of Baltimore played host to the…

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Generous leading support for this website was provided by the Sheridan Foundation with additional support from the Helen Clay Frick Foundation.