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Boh and Behond: A Legacy of Brewing in Maryland
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Like many east coast cities where immigrants brought knowledge of
----and a thirst for
----beer, Baltimore was no exception. Before the 19th century, beer was a nutrition staple considered healthier than drinking water, and nearly every household knew how to brew it. Economic opportunity to make beer commercially available appeared soon after the founding of Baltimore. The city's first brewery was opened in 1748 by German immigrant John Leonard Barnitz at Hanover and Baltimore Streets near the Jones Falls and was used on and off to brew beer for the next 200 years.
By the 1850s, with a growing population of German immigrants in Baltimore, breweries began to add beer gardens and saloons, advertising and distributing more widely. Steam-powered pumps, refrigeration, and pasteurization allowed for year-round production and helped transform small breweries into large-scale operations. Before prohibition, Baltimore boasted nearly 100 breweries. Brewers Hill was home for two of the largest, Gunther and National, the latter becoming synonymous with its iconic Mr. Boh mascot and distributing the nation's first six-pack in the 1940s.
In 1987, local brewer Hugh Sisson successfully lobbied for legislation to make brewpubs legal in Maryland and soon opened the state's first, at his family-run bar in Federal Hill. Hugh remained at Sisson's until December 1994, when he left to form a new company, Clipper City Brewing Co., now home to Heavy Seas Beer.
Join Hugh and local wine expert Al Spoler, co-hosts of Cellar Notes on WYPR, for an evening of local beer, wine, and fare pairings on Thursday, December 7 at 6pm. Tickets are $35 members / $45 non-members and advance registration is required. Register online. Ages 21+
Generous support for this event is provided by WYPR.
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Featured here and above are interior views of the American Malt Company, from the BMI, BGE Collection.
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Working Artists are Baltimore's Innovators and Present-Day "Industrial" Makers
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The Baltimore Museum of Industry is delighted to present Issues in Industry: Working Artists, a
free panel discussion about entrepreneurship, building an art practice as a business, and pursuing a creative passion while making a living.
Join us at the museum on Thursday, Nov 9 from 7pm to 8:30pm to hear from panelists Chris Bathgate (sculptor), Will Holman (Open Works), Krystal Mack (BLK//SUGAR & BLK//MARKET), Kyle Van Horn (Baltimore Print Studios), Jason Bass (Treason Toting Company), and Keisha Ransome (2live2love). The panel will be moderated by Cara Ober of BmoreArt.
Chris Bathgate is a self-trained machinist sculptor, Working Artists program organizer, and the artist behind the BMI's temporary exhibition REINVENTION: The Work of Chris Bathgate. Krystal Mack is an award-winning baker, writer, and creative consultant. Will Holman is founding executive director of Baltimore makerspace Open Works while Keisha Ransome is a Baltimore-based fashion designer and Etsy educator. Jason Bass is CEO and creative director of Treason Toting Company, and Kyle Van Horn is co-owner of Baltimore Print Studios. Program moderator Cara Ober is an artist, editor, arts writer, and founder of BmoreArt magazine.
Come early and enjoy dinner at Taco Thursday Throwdown, a Baltimore Food Truck Week celebration from 4pm to 8pm at the BMI with a DJ from 4pm to 7pm. Indoor seating is available.
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Organizer Chris and moderator Cara shared thoughts on collaboration, creativity, and the role of the working artist:
Chris Bathgate: "I think what we hope to achieve with this talk is to highlight that whether you are an artist, a craftsperson, or in some other creative field, we have a lot more in common and a lot to learn from each other when it comes to making a living from work we find meaningful. We hope to touch on how Maker Culture, which has a heavy entrepreneurial influence, is having an influence on the arts."
Cara Ober: "Artists are, above all else, creative problem solvers. The creativity they apply to their artwork is equally powerful when applied to their lives. Artists are innovators, constantly ahead of the curve, and they're fascinating to be with. Art and culture
----the production of artists
----is why people visit cities, what makes city living rich and interesting. It's essentially our cultural DNA, what will be remembered after we're gone."
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| Photo by Aaron Clamage |
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Public Programs Survey
Help us develop community-focused public programming and museum interpretation. Share your insights about the museum's public programs in this brief survey:
http://bit.ly/BMIprogramsurvey.
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Artifact Spotlight! Gift of Music at the BMI
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Those who have visited the BMI's communications gallery or sat in its auditorium during one of our public programs have likely noticed the Knabe baby grand piano that sits quietly and unassumingly among our historic radio and television collection. Since November is National Family Stories Month, we decided to spotlight this artifact's unique story----a story about industry, Baltimore, and one family's meticulous record-keeping.
Robert Krueger generously donated the piano to the BMI on April 8, 1993. The mahogany baby grand (Piano Forte No. 102329) was manufactured in Baltimore in 1926 by William Knabe and Company, and came from the estate of Charles Waldschmidt Jr., Mr. Krueger's cousin. It was purchased in 1926 by Mr. Waldschmidt's father, Charles Sr.
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Bill of sale for Knabe piano forte No. 102329.
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The Waldschmidt family records provide snapshots of the Baltimore companies and workers who played a role in the piano's life and upkeep. Receipts reveal that the baby grand was transported in 1927 by Frank Mahn Furniture and Piano Moving for $43, and tuned in 1942 by Henry Ebert for $3.50. The original 1926 bill of sale documents a purchase price of $800 from Wm. Knabe & Co.
Charles Waldschmidt Sr. likely chose a Knabe piano because he was employed by the Knabe factory. According to an article in Knabe's February 1927 newsletter, Charles began work at the firm in 1887 when he was just 13 years old and ultimately became a skilled soundboard maker. His father George Waldschmidt (from whom Charles had learned his cabinet-making skills) joined the Knabe company in 1892, supervising the mill and case shop department. The Knabe piano factory, founded in Baltimore by William Knabe, carried out full manufacturing operations from a large facility off South Eutaw Street. The factory building included a striking cupola that now resides at the BMI.
The Waldschmidts were valued members of the Knabe community, according to the newsletter, which stated: "The name of Waldschmidt is a true adornment to the pages telling the story of Knabe Fame." The BMI is grateful for the preservation and gift of this important piece of Baltimore's industrial heritage. Visit the museum to see the piano on display.
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Upcoming Programs at the BMI
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Issues in Industry: Working Artists Hear from full-time working artists
----including self-trained machinist Chris Bathgate
----about pursuing a passion while making a living. Panel moderated by Cara Ober of Bmore Art.
WHEN Thurs, Nov 9 / 7pm-8:30pm
COST Free
Printmaking Workshop Print personalized holiday cards with artist Eric Leland using the museum's presses, linotype slugs, and woodcut of our iconic crane.
WHEN Sun, Nov 12 / 1pm-4pm
COST $35 members / $45 non-members / Advance registration required / Register
online
*One spot left!
Holiday Fun at the BMI Kick off the holiday season at the last BMI Farmers' Market of 2017 with a special appearance from Santa (10am to 12pm, BYO camera). Shop for local artisan goods, purchase a Christmas tree, and enjoy family-friendly activities under the outdoor pavilion.
WHEN Sat, Nov 25 / 9am-1pm
COST Free outdoor event
Local Beer & Wine Tasting
Join Hugh Sisson & Al Spoler, co-hosts of Cellar Notes on WYPR, for an evening of local beer, wine, and fare pairings.
WHEN Thurs, Dec 7 / 6pm
COST $35 members / $45 non-members / Advance registration required / Register
online
Weekend Workers It's all about fun as you discover how things work. These engaging activities allow children of all ages to investigate the world around them.
WHEN Saturdays / 11am-2pm unless noted
COST Free with museum admission
Wee Workers
Preschoolers will love this program just for them. Explore the museum's galleries through stories, songs, crafts, and pint-size tours with a weekly theme.
WHEN Tuesdays / 10:30am-11:30am
COST Kids: Free; Adults: $5; BMI Members: Free. Advance registration suggested, contact
kedelmann@thebmi.org
or 410.727.4808 x132
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Featured Neighborhood Event: Bazaart at the AVAM!
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Bazaart Holiday Art Market
The American Visionary Art Museum's annual holiday art market invites you to browse original creations by regional artists and craftspeople. Shop painting, sculpture, paper crafts, metalwork, jewelry, textiles, mixed media, and other work that simply defies categorization!
Friday, November 24, 12pm-6pm
Saturday, November 25, 10am-6pm
Free
While you're in the neighborhood, don't forget to check out Holiday Fun at the BMI Farmers' Market from 9am to 1pm on Sat, Nov 25. Meet Santa (10am-12pm, BYO camera), enjoy family-friendly activities, and shop for gifts, trees & wreaths.
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