There is no better time to explore Baltimore’s African American history than in February, when the city – an epicenter of black culture and heritage – hosts an array of events and exhibitions in honor of Black History Month. Even though I am an Atlanta based blogger I am aware that a large portion of my audience is in Baltimore so I am happy to share this list of Black History Month events happening in Baltimore!
Black History Month Events | Baltimore
A highlight of Baltimore’s Black History Month events will be Visit Baltimore’s inaugural Legends & Legacies Jubilee on February 18 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Baltimore Visitor Center. The free family-friendly event celebrates Baltimore’s African American heritage and culture, while encouraging inclusivity and community engagement. The city’s top cultural attractions – the Maryland Zoo, National Aquarium, National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Port Discovery Museum, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, The Walters Art Museum and The Maryland Historical Society – will be present and offer experiential activities, such as exploring the Civil Rights movement through story-telling. Attendees can also enjoy food, music and historical reenactors.
Those looking to delve into Baltimore’s black history year-round can take advantage of the Legends and Legacies Heritage Pass, which offers reduced admission to the city’s most popular African American attractions. Guests who visit The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum and the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park with the pass save 20% on ticket prices.
Black History Month events and exhibits in Baltimore include:
- Every Saturday and Sunday in February, Historic Ships in Baltimore will offer its To Catch a Thief Tour, aboard the USS Constellation. Shortly before the Civil War, the ship fought against the international slave trade, and even pursued and captured the slave ship Cora, rescuing more than 700 captive Africans. The tour is available for all visitors and is included in regular admission to Historic Ships.
- Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, an educational and national heritage site that highlights African American maritime history, will offer free tours every Saturday in February, from noon to 4 p.m.
- Baltimore Black Memorabilia Fine Art & Crafts Show will be held at Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will feature black memorabilia, fine art and crafts, as well as a book signing by Ilyasah Al-Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter.
- Baltimore artists and entrepreneurs will participate in a discussion about the intersection between black artists and black-owned businesses at the Baltimore Museum of Art on Saturday, February 11 from 12 to 5 p.m. In addition to the panel, attendees are invited to a networking reception, vendor fair and free creative business skills workshop. Tickets must be reserved at www.artbma.org.
- Kids can learn about the history of slavery during an interactive Tea and Tour at Mount Clare Museum House with American Girl Doll Addy Walker on February 25. The character of Addy was an enslaved girl who sought freedom with her mother in Philadelphia, and attending children ages 4 to 12 will learn about the difficult decisions Addy had to make, as well as her adjustment from slavery to freedom.
- On display through February 28 is the “Makers of the Railroad: African Americans on the B&O” exhibit at B&O Railroad Museum. The exhibition explores the history of African Americans who served as porters, waiters, chefs and innovators on the railroad.
- “Sons: Seeing the Modern African American Male” at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum is a photographic examination of African American men and how they’re perceived. Black History Month is a timely reason to visit the exhibit, which invites visitors to compare their perceptions to reality and learn of some of the challenges facing African American men today.
If you are a Baltimore resident please don’t let this be your only resource for Black History Month activities. There were too many to list so these are just highlights. No matter what city you are in with just a little bit of research you can find events and activities that are there just for you! Happy Black History Month!
How do you celebrate Black History Month?
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