A History of Firsts
The Peale was the first museum that was purposefully built in the United States. It was commissioned in 1813 by Rembrandt Peale, a member of the first family of American artists and museum pioneers. Through the Peale family’s explorations, scientific investigations, and museum displays, they also contributed greatly to the new nation’s understanding of science, technology, and natural history. Check out a 5-minute history of the Peale, created by our friends at Baltimore Heritage.
We’re working on more detailed histories of the Peale!
Please come back soon to check for new information.
OR, feel free to reach out to us! Email: online@ThePealeCenter.org.
1814-1829
The Founding of the Peale
In 1813, Rembrandt hired Baltimore architect Robert Cary Long to design a museum. Long produced what was essentially a Federal Period townhouse with a spacious rear gallery extension. Peale’s “Museum and Gallery of the Fine Arts” opened in August 1814.
1830-1875
Baltimore's First City Hall
In April 1830, the Mayor and City Council bought Rembrandt Peale’s former museum property at public auction. Under the direction of local architect William F. Small, the building was extensively altered to serve as Baltimore’s first dedicated City Hall.
1878-1887
Colored School No. 1
In 1878, the Peale underwent its second major renovation, becoming the Male and Female No. 1 Colored Primary School. Over the next 11 years, the building housed a primary school, grammar school, and the city’s first “Colored” high school. Learn more on our Smartify tour.
1887-1930
Shops and Manufacturers
In the late 19th century, the Peale housed private businesses, including an organ factory, sign painting company, machine shop, and bedspring factory—while continuing to be regularly condemned as unsafe. The building was nearly demolished.
A History of Gaslight at The Peale
Rembrandt Peale Experiments with Gaslight
On November 29, 1814, Rembrandt Peale advertised in the Baltimore Daily Advertiser, an “Evening Illumination and Peale’s Museum, and GALLERY OF THE FINE ARTS. TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS. In announcing to the public the commencement of the Evening Illuminations on the plan adopted in Philadelphia, the proprietor deems it proper to remark that in making no addition to the price of admission, notwithstanding the increased expense, his renumeration must depend on the numbers whose leisure and curiosity may thus be gratified . . . Admission to the whole 25 cents.”
1930-1997
Municipal Museum of the City of Baltimore
In 1929, as Baltimore prepared to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its founding, Mayor William F. Broening announced his support for converting the aging landmark into a municipal museum. The Municipal Museum of the City of Baltimore opened to the public in October 1931 and remained open until 1997. It was known as the Peale Museum.
1998-2017
A Vacant Landmark on Holliday Street
During this period, the brick building on Holliday Street remained largely vacant. However, it soon saw new life again. In 2005, the Friends of the Peale formed to explore various uses for the local historic landmark. Later merging with another group, in 2012, the Friends created a new organization, the Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture.
2017-Present
The Peale, Baltimore's Community Museum
Between 2014 and 2018, the Peale raised money to install a new roof, make exterior repairs and begin restoring the garden. Interior renovations began in 2019, culminating with the completion in 2022 of major repairs to plasterwork, flooring, woodwork, and the installation of ramps and an elevator.
Peale Family
American Artists, Inventors, and Museum Innovators
The Peale family is considered the first family of American artists. The family’s patriarch Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) was a prominent 18th-century artist and patriot. Charles’ son Rembrandt was born in 1778 in Bucks County, PA. On August 15, 1814, he opened our museum, which has endured–in one form or another–until this day.
Today, the Peale is a the 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation that works in partnership with Baltimore’s Department of General Services, which owns the building. The Peale is Baltimore’s community museum, a center for Baltimore stories, and a cultural commons helping culture keepers and communities share their authentic stories of the city both through live performance and online.
