Maryland is awash in cultural and historical attractions that you can’t find anywhere else. Local communities have endeavored to preserve objects, artwork, and structures that hark back to a historical past or connect us to ancient cultures.
If you’re stopping by Maryland, pay a visit to these museums.
Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA)
10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
BMA houses an impressive collection of works by the post-Impressionist Henri Matisse (there’s a Center for Matisse Studies) and Cubism stalwart Pablo Picasso. But the museum also provides insight into the art of the 18th to 20th centuries.
The museum, which began with a single painting in 1914, now houses more than 95,000 works spanning significant eras in art history. Ancient Egyptian artifacts, European Renaissance art, American modernism, and more are richly represented.
African Art Museum of Maryland
8775 Cloudleap Ct Suite 112, Columbia, MD 21045
One of the few museums in the country dedicated to preserving African art, AAMM is a highly respected cultural institution co-founded by the African American Doris Ligon.
Though not as large as the other museums on this list, AAMM offers visitors a glimpse of objects produced by diverse ethnic groups from the African continent.
Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum
901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223
Train geeks are in for a treat at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, a 40-acre historic site. You’ll find Mt. Clare Depot, America’s first-ever railroad station built by the now-defunct B&O Company. The latter, also known for being one of the properties in the board game Monopoly, was in operation for 159 years, from 1828 to 1987.
During its heyday, B&O tracks stretched from Baltimore to Washington DC. The development of this railroad system was instrumental in creating of the first American steam engine and the success of telegraph messaging.
Annapolis Maritime Museum
723 Second St, Annapolis, MD 21403
Dive into the Chesapeake Bay’s rich maritime history. At the Annapolis Maritime Museum, discover exhibits that showcase aquatic ecosystems, the unique working culture of marine professionals, and historic vessels from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Additionally, visitors can go on water tours on the Wilma Lee, an iconic Chesapeake Bay skipjack (fishing vessel) carefully preserved and maintained.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
213 N Talbot St, St Michaels, MD 21663
Can’t get enough of the water? Head over to the other side of the bay and visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. This 18-acre waterfront museum was established in 1965 and contains 12 showcase buildings housing a variety of antique vessels and special exhibits.
Plenty of picture-worthy moments occur atop the Hooper Strait Lighthouse (which dates back to 1879), where sweeping views of the surrounding harbor provide a scenic background.
If you need more museum stops in Maryland, or are thinking of relocating to this historical state, don’t hesitate to reach out to Heller Coley Reed. Explore Maryland’s wonderful communities now. Contact us via phone call or email.