Museums - Other, Baltimore

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At the outset of the Civil War, in April 1861, Maryland was a neutral state. It was, like Kentucky and Missouri, divided right down the middle. So the Confederates tried to seize control of Baltimore, in an effort to surround Washington and make it too vulnerable to defend.

A crowd of rebel sympathizers attacked the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia Regiment in Baltimore, just as the troops were departing from the railroad station on Pratt St. A fight broke out that left a four soldiers and 12 rebels dead.

Today, the old rail station, dating from 1849, houses the Civil War Museum. It's a modest place, but full of interesting historical displays, weapons, uniforms, and a small theater.

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Acclaimed as one of the best art museums in the United States, THE WALTERS ART MUSEUM, located in the historic Mt. Vernon Cultural District of Baltimore, offers ancient, medieval and Renaissance art, Egyptian mummies, medieval armour and 19th century masterpieces. The museum celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 by unveiling the renovation of its Palace of Wonders building. The adjacent Hackerman House focuses on Asian art.
General admission $10.00
Seniors ( 65 + with ID) $8.00
College students with ID $6.00
Ages 6 to 17 $2.00
Members and children under 6 enter free
Free admission on the first Thursday of each month and on Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Hours: Wed. to Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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A relatively new, smallish museum dedicated to merging local contemporary issues with visual culture. Although fascinating and noble in concept, in practice it does not always work.

You do have to give them credit, though. And, if there is an exhibit, it's definitely worth a half-hour to an hour (at the very most) of your time.

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This place can be a snooze. You know, so and so came over in the 1700s from England, settled in Maryland, and here's their lovely silver serving set, along with their oh so fine Chippendale furniture. Or, it can be kind of interesting. You never know.

It's also interesting from the outside, where you can see a collection of neon signs and other things, culled from Maryland buildings gone by....

George Herman "Babe" Ruth, one of the most storied and acheived atheletes in American history, was born at this location in 1895. A pre-mass media sports celebritiy, Ruth rules the baseball world with his charisma and his towering home runs, even in the days of larger ballparks. This small museum is a walk through tour of the life of this larger-than-life American idol.

Baltimore is definately not known for its art galleries, but there are two that are worth mentioning (there are also some private galleries in Fells Point that are intriguing).

The Walters Art Museum has a little something for everyone. The collection was collected mostly by William and Henry Walters. Have a look at exhibits from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe.

What I find particularly fascinating is the Asian Art collection that is housed in the Hackerman House that includes Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and Indian art.

HOURS:
Wednesday - Sunday 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Second Fridays: After Hours 5:30 — 10 p.m.

Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, December 24, and December 25

ADMISSION:
Adult - $10
Senior Citizens - $8
College Students with ID (18-25) - $6
Children 6-17 - $2
Children under 6 - Free

First Thursdays all day and
Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. - Free

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Baltimore is not just about alternative art. Lovers of mainstream art rejoice - there is the well-presented, world-class Walters Art Museum. And it's free.

The museum has extensive collection of classical as well as oriental art, and even art from pharaonic Egypt. I specifically liked the classical statues from ancient Greece (including the ancient sarcophagi - picture 3), the Roman Empire, and Renaissance Europe (notable of which is Raphael's Madonna of the Candelabra - picture 4).

What I also like about Walters are the special exhibits and activities they organize for the public and visitors. At the time of my visit, there was special exhibit on Greek art and mythology with fun activities not just for kids, but also for adults.

When my mother and sisters come to visit Baltimore, they like to visit museums, see interesting baltimore neighborhoods and eat in unique Baltimore restaurants. I would recommend:
1) Baltimore Museum of Art, the oldest museum in the U.S., for classic European, American, modern, and ancient art, (Free Admission!) followed by an elegant lunch or dinner at Gertrude's restaurant in the musuem, a short walk through the sculpture garden to visit the campus of Johns Hopkins University.
2) Walters Art Museum (free Admission!) followed by a short walk through elegant Mt. Vernon neighborhood and past the Washington Monument (the first one, once the tallest manmade structure in North America) to the exotic Helmand Afghan restaurant on Charles Street. or
3) American Visionary Art Museum (less than $10) for wild and exotic folk art and a meal in their offbeat restaurant and a visit to their weird and delightful gift shop. Or take advantage of the relatively easy parking near the museum and take a short walk to the taxi boat dock for a quick boat ride to Fells Point for dinner and live music. Bertha's has basic Baltimore seafood and Blues/roots music on weekends and attracts an older crowd in the funky bar, Peter's Inn is a quirky neighborhood restaurant with great food, Pierpoint for pricey but sophisticated seafood in a sleek bistro, and there are many other good restaurants sprinkled among the teeming bars.