Welcome To Baltimore!

1 Welcome To Baltimore! baltimore is a city where legends are made and legacies are born. Duringthe 1930s and 1940s, jazz legends like Pearl Bailey, Count Basie and DukeEllington performed at the legendary Royal Theatre on baltimore s Penn-sylvania Avenue. Billie Holiday became the incomparable Lady Day right here in Charm City. baltimore -born composer and pianist EubieBlake is honored, along with many of his colleagues, at the Eubie BlakeCultural Center on North Howard Street. All of these stories have helpedshape baltimore s, and our nation s, is also the proud home of the NAACP headquarters, and thebirthplace of Thurgood Marshall, one of our early pioneers in the move-ment for civil rights. You ll also find The National Great Blacks In WaxMuseum, the country s first wax museum of African American history ;the baltimore Civil War Museum, which was once a stop on the Under-ground Railroad; and opening early 2005, the Reginald F.

2 Lewis Museumof Maryland African American history and Culture. This $33 millionfacility will be the East Coast s largest museum chronicling the history ofAfrican Americans and will house artifacts and exhibits covering morethan 350 years of Maryland African American history and culture. Also, opening in 2005 is the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime park honors Frederick Douglass, considered one of the most prominentAfrican American leaders of the 19th century, and Isaac Myers, the firstblack owner of a marine railway shipyard in the United hope you will discover some of these stories while you are here, andcome back to baltimore again to create a legacy of your ,EVENTSARTS & CULTUREAROUND MARYLANDRESOURCEST able of ContentsAfrican American Heritage & Attractions Guide A publication of the baltimore Area Convention and Visitors AssociationThe baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA)

3 , a membership-based organization, is the official destination development and marketing leader forGreater baltimore , responsible for generating incremental economic benefits to thecommunity through the attraction of convention and leisure and Sales Office100 Light Street, 12thFloorBaltimore, Maryland 21202410-659-7300 or 800-343-3468 Fax: 410-727-2308 baltimore Visitor Center401 Light StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21202 2004. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced without the writtenconsent of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content,but the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Pleasecontact the destination to confirm detailed &FestivalsVisual &PerformingArtsCulturalHeritageAttractio nsHeritageTours andTour OperatorsBaltimoreVisitor CenterFamily ReunionsAroundMarylandIndexLANDMARKS7911 6A BriefHistoryHistoric LandmarksReligiousVenuesColleges &UniversitiesMartin O MalleyMayorCity of BaltimoreLeslie R.

4 DoggettPresident & CEOB altimore Area Conventionand Visitors AssociationEventsAnnual CulturalEvents & FestivalsEvery month, there is something new todiscover in baltimore . For specific datesand more information about these andother events, visit individual website listings, visit or call Dr. Martin Luther King, Celebration ParadeDowntown baltimore celebrates the birth of one ofAmerica s greatest leaders with this annualparade, featuring high school marchingbands, community bands, floats, equestrianunits, choirs and specialty Exhibit in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, National Great Blacks In Wax Museum National Great Blacks In WaxMuseum honors and memorializes one ofthe country s leading civil rights advocateswith this special exhibit. FebruaryBlack Heritage Art ShowBaltimore Convention CenterThis annual art show features originalworks by African American artists fromacross the nation.

5 Poetry readings, semi-nars, workshops and entertainmentcomplement the visual arts history MonthMultiple locationsBaltimore s attractions celebrate BlackHistory Month with lectures, specialevents, children s programs, commem-orations and AmericanRenaissance Grand TourBaltimore City 410-727-0755 or 410-728-3837 Costumed re-enactors perform atvarious historical African Americansites throughout baltimore Cityallowing participants to experienceBaltimore s rich African Americanhistory at its best. The Grand Tour isavailable for groups and individuals andwill be held the last Friday of NovemberFrederick Douglass Path to Freedom Walking TourHistoric Fell s Point410-783-5469 Frederick Douglass resided as a slave inBaltimore s Fell s Point between March1826 and September 1838. Historic markersand sites on the tour include several 18th-century buildings associated with and short discussions are held at loca-tions where Douglass lived, worked,worshipped and learned to read, and wherehe built five historic townhouses that stillstand today.

6 Reservations are required. AprilMayor s Billie Holiday Vocal to cultivate and encourage newvocal talent in baltimore , this competition ishosted by the Mayor s office every spring. May SeptemberCivil War Walking TourTours depart from the baltimore Civil WarMuseum in Harbor East; interpreter of the 1861 Pratt Street Riotleads a tour of downtown baltimore fromPresident Street Station to Camden Station. Showcase of Nations Ethnic FestivalsMultiple celebrates its proud heritagealmost every weekend of the summer withfestivals featuring native music, food, crafts,dance and entertainment. Jazzy Summer NightsWar Memorial and listen to the area s most popularjazz bands during this free outdoor concertseries at War Memorial Plaza. Thurgood Marshall-Billie HolidayWalking Heritage TourTours depart from the Shake N Bake FamilyFun Center at 1601 Pennsylvania with a guide on PennsylvaniaAvenue and hear stories of twelve histori-cally significant sites along the way.

7 Sixty-minute tours available by appointmentfrom 10:00 to 7:00 Music Crab Feast SeriesLocations vary. 410-484-5600 or is The Home of the Music CrabFeast Series. Throughout the summer, thisexceptional CRAB FEAST experience offersa vast array of good food, comedy, poetry,and musical genres of gospel, neo-soul, jazz,Caribbean, Latin, R&B, and hip-hop. Pleasecall for complete schedule. JuneAfrican American Heritage FestivalOriole Park at Camden Yards; African American Heritage Festival is anannual family celebrationof the history , culture,education, heritage andarts that embraces andpromotes the rich tradi-tions and zestful spirit ofthe city of in a diverseoffering of arts andentertainment includingnational and local talent; educational andhistorical exhibits; interactive children s area;and crafts from more than 100 vendors,community organizations and merchants. Juneteenth FestivalFestival location varies.

8 Please call410-467-2724 for more annual festival commemorates the endof slavery and features activities for theentire family; a cooking contest; celebritybasketball; historical lectures; arts and crafts;an exhibition of collectibles; storytelling; andsoul, gospel and blues music. Cadillac Parade and Royal TheatreReunion Parade & FestivalPennsylvania Avenue410- 669-5397 West baltimore 's historic Pennsyl-vania Avenue corridor hosts areunion of the people and momentsthat made the Royal Theatrefamous. Showcasing the newmonument and a developing"Walk of Fame," this belovedevent dates back to the parade and festival is a way to recognizeand honor the African American men,fathers and veterans who live and work inthe community. The event featureswonderful music, arts and the traditionalCadillac Parade. JulyArtscapeMount Royal Cultural region s celebration of the arts featuresincredible headline entertainment; a first-class schedule of dance, theater, opera, streetperformers and family fun; an amazing arrayof visual arts from more than 200 artisans,craftspeople and cultural exhibitors; and adelightful menu of culinary CarnivalDruid Hill ParkA traditional island-costumed parade; soca,reggae, and steel drum bands; live interna-tional entertainment; elaborate costumes;and Caribbean Book FestivalHistoric Mount The mid-Atlantic s premier celebration ofthe literary arts features nationally knownauthors, poetry readings, cookbook andhome and garden demonstrations, livemusic, and more than 125 exhibitors andbook But Goodies DanceThe National Great Blacks In Wax annual festive event at The NationalGreat Blacks In Wax Museum will have youdancing all night long!

9 DecemberKwanzaa CelebrationThe National Great Blacks In Wax of the harvesting of the fruitswith libation, dancing, singing, and therepresentation of the seven principles unity, self-determination, collective workand responsibility, cooperative economics,purpose, creativity and faith. 4 Visit for more events and walking tours!Historic LandmarksMarked by sacrifice, risk and reward, thestory of African American history inBaltimore is one that you will not soonforget. You can learn more about Balti-more s place in African American historyby visiting the following attractions andhistoric landmarks. Please note that the marker designations in the listingsbelow mean that the sites can be visited,but most offer no activities (tours, etc.)Afro-American Newspapers2509 North Charles Street; Afro is the longest running, family-owned, African Amer-ican newspaper in thenation. Founded in 1892by John H.

10 Murphy, Sr.,a former slave, The Afrobecame a voice for civilrights in the 1950s and 60s. Today, it continuesto provide the latest onnews and current eventsfrom an African Amer-ican perspective. Toursby Tennis Club MarkerDruid Hill Park, adjacent to the Conserva-tory, Druid Park Lake DriveLike many public sites during the JimCrow era, the baltimore Tennis Clubwas open and available to whites only. In 1948, 24 African Americans werearrested for leading a public protestagainst segregation at the Druid Hilltennis Building14 East Pleasant StreetOnce known as the Banneker LawBuilding, this office building was the firstin baltimore to be erected for AfricanAmerican professionals. Named for theprolific 18th-century astronomer andmathematician Benjamin Banneker, anddedicated in 1903, it housed dentists,attorneys and Holiday StatuePennsylvania Avenue between Lanvale and Lafayette streetsCreated by baltimore native James EarlReid in 1985, the bronze statue featuringLady Day is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, in baltimore 'sDruid Hill neighborhood.