Virtual Roadtrip: Baltimore Museum of Industry

Highlighting Maryland’s Industrial Contributions & Innovations

Stop #14 on our Virtual Road Trip is the Baltimore Museum of Industry in Baltimore, Maryland! The museum takes you back in time to explore life in the port city from the perspective of working-class families in the late 18th century to today. Baltimore, affectionately named the “Charm City,” was a leading port of entry for immigrants as well as an industrial center. The city is also credited with having the nation’s first passenger railway, first traffic light, and many other inventions and innovations.

The museum showcases one of the best collections of industrial artifacts in the country, with over one million items representing Baltimore’s contributions to the development and expansion of the United States. The museum’s permanent exhibits and hands-on experiences highlight the canning industry, textiles, industrial manufacturing, printing, and retail to name a few. The Decker Gallery features inventions associated with local entrepreneurs and businesses, including the story of the Head Ski Company.

One of the current temporary exhibits is Shuttered: Images from the Fall of Bethlehem Steel. The exhibit focuses on the impact on the community of the closing of Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point. The exhibit features photographs by J.M. Giordano and has been extended through August 16, 2020.

Travel Tip: The museum is well organized for self-guided tours using the map to navigate between areas and signs providing detailed information about the exhibits and artifacts. Don’t forget to look up— there are some impressive items displayed from above, including a prototype of a WWII PMB flying boat bomber. Guided tours are available on the weekends and daily during the summer. Once you exit the building, walk towards the waterfront to see the Baltimore 1906 Steam Tug and other large installations around the parking area.

Following the Connection

The Baltimore Museum of Industry is located in the former Platt Oyster Cannery, one of eight canneries that operated along the Baltimore waterfront. Canneries and industrial equipment were a common site along the waterfront of many cities across the United States. One of the most popular tourist destinations on the West Coast is Cannery Row in Monterey, California. The former cannery buildings have been converted into restaurants, hotels, and shops. On the former site of the Hovden Cannery is the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Next Stop: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California

Detour: If you enjoyed your visit to the Baltimore Museum of Industry, we highly recommend the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, Florida. The museum is a scientific playground with more than 100 hands-on activities. It also houses the Saunders Planetarium where you can explore another world in the NASA-funded “Mission: Moonbase” lunar colony.

Plan Your Trip

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is central to many of the points of interest across the city. A few of the great neighborhoods worth exploring include Federal Hill, Fells Point, Harbor East, Hampden, Locus Point, and Mount Vernon. You’ll find dozens of museums and attractions, great sporting venues, fabulous restaurants, and enough lodging choices to meet anyone’s budget. Here are some recommendations from the travel desk at Check-it-Off Travel to consider while planning a trip to the museum.

Photo: Courtesy of Baltimore Museum of Industry