Black History on the Waterfront and Beyond
Wherever you walk on Baltimore’s waterfront, our city’s legacy of Black history and culture is all around you. Black history is intrinsic in the art, music, and landmarks of our city, and the stories of Black Baltimoreans tell the story of Baltimore. February is Black History Month, a great opportunity to take the time to engage with these stories that are always present.
Join the city in celebration at the Black History Month Parade on Monday, February 17th; use Visit Baltimore’s BoP Pass to easily explore Black businesses and cultural institutions all over the city; spend a day at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. The opportunities to engage with and celebrate this history extend far beyond one month.
Here are some ways to learn about Black history and celebrate Black culture in Baltimore, not just during February but all year round.
Historical Sites and Landmarks
Historic President Street Station
Located at 601 S. President St, this site was a former train station that has history in the Civil War and Underground Railroad. This station was part of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, & Baltimore railroad and many people, including Frederick Douglass, used it to escape North as part of the Underground Railroad. It was also the site of the first deaths of the war in 1861. The museum is currently closed, but visitors can still see the station itself and read about its history.
500 Block of South Dallas St/ Frederick Douglass Row Homes
This block of homes in Fells Point was once known as “Douglass Place”. Long after he left the city of Baltimore, Frederick Douglass bought land on this block and constructed 5 houses that still stand here today. This block is a simple reminder of Douglass’s life and how far he came from where he started in Baltimore.
Billie Holiday House & Murals
Billie Holiday is another famous former resident of Fells Point, where she lived at 217 S. Durham Street. Visit this neighborhood to feel inspired by the streets Lahttps://aqua.org/stories/2023-08-29-commemorating-harriet-tubmans-legacy-at-pier-4dy Day herself walked. The house itself is not marked, but there are two murals depicting the legendary singer on the 200 block of S. Durham St that you can admire.
Story of Tilly’s Escape at the National Aquarium
Pier 4, home to the National Aquarium , used to known as Dugan’s Wharf and was a popular spot for steamboats to dock. One of those steamboats, Kent, was how Harriet Tubman helped a woman named Tilly escape enslavement in 1856. Network to Freedom added signage telling the story of Tilly’s escape in 2023.
Museums and Heritage Sites
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
This museum is devoted to Maryland African American culture and history. In addition to a prolific permanent collection and theater space, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and events. Their current ongoing exhibit, Titan, celebrates the legacy of Reginald F. Lewis himself, the groundbreaking businessman and philanthropist for whom the museum is named.
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Any Sunday in February, visit the BMI to take their guided tour titled Forging Progress: Civil Rights, Labor Rights, and Black History in Baltimore. This tour highlights some of the trailblazing Black Baltimoreans who created change and made history during these movements.
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum
Named after two Baltimore legacies, this museum allows visitors to learn about the impact of African Americans on Baltimore’s maritime industry. This site offers a look into the lives of both Frederick Douglass and Isaac Myers, as well as the histories of African Americans in Baltimore and the maritime and trade industries, and how they shaped the city.
Discover more!
Find more museums and historic sites to visit here: Experience African American History in Baltimore
Learn about the BoP Pass here: Visit Baltimore
Read Mayor Scott’s Black History Month Message here: Mayor Scott and the City of Baltimore Celebrate Black History Month
Support Black-owned businesses in Baltimore! Check out directory here: Shop Baltimore’s Black Owned Businesses
The waterfront district and the places mentioned in this article exist on the land of the Piscataway and Susquehannock people. We recognize the past and current systems of oppression against Indigenous peoples and Black Americans that operate in this region as a result of colonialism. In acknowledging the history of these sites, we hope to also join in the work towards a future of justice and healing.
Click here for resources on local history and organizations working towards justice.
