Three Fascinating Museums in Baltimore that History Buffs will not Want to Miss
Situated on the wide estuary of the Patapsco River, Baltimore is not only the largest city in Maryland but an important place in American history. History buffs from all over the world make a beeline for Baltimore because of its large number of museums on distinctly different subjects, the likes of which are not to be found anywhere else in the nation. A few of the museums every person interested in history would love to visit in Baltimore:
The Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum is among the very few in the world with a collection of artifacts presenting a comprehensive history of art spanning the large period from third millennium BCE to the early years of the 20th century. Visitors will be enthralled to see a fine collection of jewelry, ivories, bronzes, enamels as well as rare books and illuminated manuscripts apart from works representing every major trend in French painting. A child-friendly museum, it organizes a host of activities to engage young minds and develop their interest in history. According to Huffpost.com, in a path-breaking move, it also held an exhibition on the art of the Renaissance and Baroque periods inviting visitors to touch the works of art and think about why physical contact is appealing.
American Visionary Art Museum
The American Visionary Art Museum displays works of art by artists from all around the world who are self-taught. The exhibits of painting and drawings keep on changing frequently and serve to illustrate what creative free minds can conjure up. Here you can see folk art, embroidered costumes, sculptures fabricated entirely out of toothpicks, art by prison inmates, fabric collages, and much more. Always thought-provoking, the exhibits display an exuberance that is both remarkable and contagious. As per a popular Baltimore visitors guide, the main building of the museum is also a celebrated artistic creation; it has won numerous international and national awards for its architecture. Be sure to visit the sculpture barn to see exhibits that are truly gigantic in size and imagination.
Baltimore Museum of Industry
The Baltimore Museum of Industry often gets a miss by tourists because it is somewhat out of the way but enthusiasts of industrial history will get a fascinating insight into the wide variety of industrial and business activities of the city since it came into existence. Visitors will find the replicas or preservations of entire workshops of a large variety of activities like a printing press, a cannery as well as the industrial traditions peculiar to Baltimore. The focus of the museum is on small business owners and the workers who made the city what it was, a leader in industrial activities.
Conclusion
Baltimore is a treasure trove for lovers of history. In addition to the featured museums, high on the popularity lists are Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, National Cryptologic Museum, The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, and National Museum of Dentistry. With so many museums, it would be difficult for an average tourist to complete the rounds in just one visit; the city will beckon for many more trips.