 |
|
Embark on an Adventure Starting at the BMI
|
|
|
|
The BMI's Working Point sculpture and 1942 Whirley Crane located on the museum's campus.
|
|
|
On Saturday, October 6, the BMI will join more than 60 cultural institutions, businesses, and historical sites in Baltimore granting free admission to the public for Doors Open Baltimore (DOB) 2018. This city-wide
celebration of architecture showcases the diverse architecture and extraordinary people who design, build, preserve, and work in the city. Join us from 10 AM - 4 PM for our free open house and discover the museum's architecture and industrial
legacy through self-guided exploration, guided tours, live demonstrations, and kids' activities.
|
|
|
|
The fifth annual Doors Open Baltimore takes place Oct 6-7.
|
|
Visitors of all ages can enjoy a fun, hands-on workshop for kids hosted by the BMI's Weekend Workers in partnership with AIA Baltimore's Future Architect Resources (FAR) committee from 10 AM - 2 PM
. Learn about the basic principles of architectural styles and explore the BMI's architectural structures: the 1942 "whirley crane" that played a major role in the shipbuilding efforts of WWII, the Working Point sculpture named for the measurement reference point on an architectural, and our Waterfront Pavilion-inspired by 19th century farmers' market buildings-which houses our own farmers' market every Saturday from 9 AM - 1 PM.
This year, the BMI will be one of four DOB Info Hubs. Stop by on Saturday during museum hours to ask questions about Doors Open Baltimore, get recommendations on additional DOB sites to explore, and grab a collectible DOB pocket guide and map. We hope you will join us.
|
|
October Brings Exciting FREE Public Programs
In participation with Free Fall Baltimore, the BMI will present free public programs throughout October such as the Children's Business Fair and another Food Truck Rally.
|
|
Route 1: Keeping Up with the Automobile Age
|
|
|
|
View of Hyattsville along US Route 1 during the 1970s,
Courtesy of Aaron Marcavitch.
|
|
|
Between 1900 and 1930, the number of passenger cars registered in the U.S. grew from 8,000 to about 27 million. The increase in production of--and access to--cars allowed more and more households to settle in suburbs further outside city limits. By the mid-1960s, 87 percent of Americans living in the suburbs owned a car while 30 percent owned two cars.
On October 17, the BMI will host Along Route 1: Automobile Age from Baltimore to D.C., a look at how the growing demand for automobiles impacted this historic corridor. Aaron Marcavitch, author of Route 1: Baltimore to Washington D.C and executive director of Maryland Milestones/Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, will share the story of this famed roadway. Inspired by the closure of the Little Tavern--a College Park roadside restaurant that served travelers, residents, and students for more than half a century--Marcavitch's work fulfills the Maryland Milestones/Anacostia Trails Heritage Area's plan to preserve the region's transportation and communications history.
"U.S. Route 1 was unloved by almost everyone and there were constant attempts to straighten, move, rebuild, and then avoid the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and I-95. The changing tastes meant Route 1 has always been in a constant state of flux," says Marcavitch.
Marcavitch will reveal the little-known history of the corridor, which has shaped trade, mail routes, and continuous commuting from the cities to the emerging suburbs since the 18th century. And he'll describe unique places along the route, highlighting some of the industries, commercial developments, and communities that greatly impacted U.S. Route 1.
Join us on Wednesday, October 17, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM for
Along Route 1: Automobile Age from Baltimore to D.C
. This event is free and open to the public.
|
|
The Origin Stories of our Car Culture
Be sure to visit the Fueling the Automobile Age exhibition to see
how two local oil companies helped fuel America's automobile age in preparation for the Along Route 1 talk on Oct 17.
|
|
Incandescent Lighting Collection Added to the BMI Archives
|
|
|
| Mount Vernon Museum of Incandescent Lighting at its former home on Charles Street. |
|
|
The BMI is proud to announce that an extraordinary assemblage of items from the former Mount Vernon Museum of Incandescent Lighting is the latest
archival collection to become available to researchers. Encompassing over 20 linear feet of records amassed by Baltimore dentist Dr. Hugh F. Hicks, the collection includes documentation on the cultural and historical significance of the light bulb and electricity, files on inventors, iconography, and advertisements. Researchers will now have the opportunity to explore the collection's photographs with over 500 images of various lamps, bulbs, and related parts. Prior to its closure, the Mount Vernon Museum of Incandescent Lighting boasted light bulbs ranging from quirky and enormous to historic and tiny. Dr. Hicks' collection was received by the BMI in 2003 by bequest.
|
|
|
Some of the photos included in the BMI's
Dr. Hugh F. Hicks archival collection.
|
Formerly located at
717 N Charles Street
, the Mount Vernon Museum of Incandescent Lighting was housed in the basement of Dr. Hicks' dentist office. Hicks was well known in the lighting community and received correspondence from individuals requesting assistance identifying historic lamps, as well as from engineers and other electrical technicians seeking his knowledge and advice.
The BMI's Dr. Hugh F. Hicks archival collection is now open to researchers interested in archival documents, photographs,
and other materials related to
the history of the light bulb. For more details on the archival collection and how to research the collection, contact the BMI Archives at (410) 727-4808 X110 or at
[email protected]
.
|
|
Explore the Many Stories of the BMI!
The BMI makes its Archives & Library available to researchers by appointment.
For more details on our archives, library, and online library catalog, click the link.
|
|
Upcoming Programs at the BMI
|
Doors Open Baltimore / DBFA School & Children's Programming Fair
|
Discover the historic architecture of the BMI as part of Doors Open Baltimore, a weekend of architectural adventure across Charm City, and meet with principals, parents, and providers at the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance's School & Children's Programming Fair (10am-1pm).
WHEN
Sat, October 6 | 10 AM-4 PM
COST
Free
Along Route 1: The Automobile Age from Baltimore to DC |
Author Aaron Marcavitch will share stories and historic images from the historic US Route 1 corridor between Baltimore and Washington, DC, and sign copies of his book.
WHEN
Wed, October 17 | 6:30 PM-8 PM
COST
FREE
Free Fall Baltimore / Baltimore Children's Business Fair |
Meet entrepreneurs ages 6-14 during Free Fall Baltimore, the celebration of arts and culture.
WHEN
Sun, October 21 / 12 PM-3 PM
COST
FREE
Food Truck Rally |
Local food trucks present a free rally on the waterfront, featuring local vendors, family-friendly activities, a bar and live music.
WHEN
Sun, October 28 / 12 PM-5 PM
COST
FREE
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 | 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
COST Kids: Free; Adults: $5; BMI Members: Free. Advance registration suggested, contact [email protected] or 410.727.4808 x132
UPCOMING THEMES
OCT 9:
Scarecrows
| OCT 16:
The Grocery Store
| OCT 23:
Shoes and Footwear
| OCT 30:
Halloween
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 | 11 AM-2 PM unless noted
COST Free with museum admission
UPCOMING THEMES
OCT 6
: Kids Architecture Workshop | OCT
13:
Designing Paper Airplanes
| *
OCT 21:
Bmore Mindful Counseling at the BMI |
OCT 27: Radar Engineering for Kids
* Due to the Baltimore Marathon scheduled for Oct. 20, Weekend Workers will occur on Sunday, October 21
|
|
|
|
|
|
