Discover Baltimore's African American History

Baltimore is deeply rooted in African American heritage, dating back to when enslaved Africans first arrived here in the 17th century. Located south of the Mason-Dixon line, Maryland was a slave state, but by the Civil War, Baltimore had the largest population of free Black people, more than any northern city.                                                                                                                    

When you stay with us at Rachael's Dowry Bed & Breakfast, we encourage you to explore the enormous impact African Americans have had, and continue to have, on the culture of our city. There are several compelling museums you can visit to learn about pivotal moments, influential leaders and groundbreaking contributions of African American history in Baltimore.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum in the heart of Baltimore's Inner Harbor shares over 400 years of African American history through its extensive exhibits, interactive learning centers, and timely programs and events. It celebrates the significant accomplishments and struggles of African Americans, taking visitors on a journey through important contributions in the areas of industry, politics, sports, media, the arts, education, the military and more. The museum is named for Baltimore-native and businessman Reginald Lewis, the first African American to build a billion-dollar company.

The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park is a national heritage site operated by the Living Classrooms Foundation that honors the legacy of African Americans in maritime history and preserves one of the city’s oldest existing waterfront industrial buildings. Located on the western edge of Fell's Point, the museum chronicles the lives of two influential African Americans, Frederick Douglass and Isaac Myers, as well as the African American community of Baltimore during the 1800s.

As an enslaved child and young man, Frederick Douglass worked in the Baltimore shipyards. The museum helps you trace his life to see how he became one of the greatest intellectuals, authors and activists of the 19th century. Isaac Myers was born a free Black person and became one of the first African American trade unionists and labor leaders in the United States. His work as a caulker would lead to groundbreaking steps for greater Black autonomy and power within the labor industry.

One more stop to make is the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, the only museum of its kind dedicated to the preservation of African American history. Located in Baltimore's Oliver neighborhood, the museum houses 150 life-like wax figures representing the abundant contributions of Black Americans throughout politics, entertainment, business and beyond – from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks to President Barack Obama and baseball great Jackie Robinson. The museum also is known for its life-sized replica of a slave ship that gives you a realistic idea of what the harrowing journey was like for Africans traveling the Middle Passage.

Together these museums are important to understanding the rich and diverse history of our amazing city and helping bridge the gap between the past and the present.