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Baltimore's Community Museum
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Who We Are
The Peale is Baltimore’s Community Museum, housed in the oldest museum building in the United States.
More than two hundred years after the museum was established in 1814, The Peale is once again going strong. We’re building an inclusive archive of Baltimore stories and offering a showcase for the city’s storytellers that honors their importance and historical value.
The Peale’s mission is to provide local creators and storytellers with the space and support they need to realize a complete and accessible cultural legacy for the city of Baltimore.
We’re thrilled to announce “The Lab at The Peale,” a new collaboration through which The Peale will serve as a laboratory to conduct research, evaluation, experimentation, and testing of next-generation museum experiences and exhibition designs with community and cultural heritage partners.
Baker Artist Portfolios: Off the Web
NOVEMBER 7-JANUARY 19, 2025
Open during regular hours
Each year, nearly 1,000 artists create a Baker Artist Portfolio, making the Baker Portfolios website the largest collection of Baltimore-area artists. The Baker Artist Portfolios have partnered with The Peale to bring their online gallery into the real world!
Igniting Integration
SEPTEMBER 14-DECEMBER 1, 2024
Open during regular hours
Learn the rarely told history of African American firefighters in Baltimore and their efforts to break the color barrier of the BCFD. In this exhibition, check out artifacts, newspaper articles, and rare photographs.
Moses Williams: Cutter of Profiles
MAY 19 - DECEMBER 20, 2024
Open during regular hours
Who was Moses Williams? Through an innovative, light-inspired exhibition, learn the story of this important 19th-century Black artist, who was once enslaved by the Peale family and gained a reputation as being an exemplary silhouette artist at Peale's museum.
Founding Fossils
MAY 19 - DECEMBER 20, 2024
Open during regular hours
This multisensory exhibit includes 3D-printed versions of the fossils originally collected by the Peales and early American leaders. Also includes tactile versions of selected artworks as well as a comprehensive audio tour, powered by Smartify.
Get Peale News!
Find out what we’re up to behind the scenes. Learn about the latest grant news, historic research, and community programs! Contact us if you’d like to author an article to include in our news section.
Record Your Story
The Peale is building the largest archives of stories about Baltimore in the world! We believe your voice is important to creating a representative and authentic impression of life in Baltimore. We welcome your stories. You just might find your story posted here and on SoundCloud! We update and add stories every week.
Listen to Stories
Over the last few years, the Peale has gathered hundred and hundreds of stories from people just like you. These story collections cover topics like the impact of COVID-19 on local communities, how art and culture have shaped people’s lives, first-time voting experiences, and more. Listen to Stories on SoundCloud or on the Peale’s Story map.
