Calendar of Events

Druid Hill Park Marked by sacrifice, risk and reward, the story of African American history in Baltimore is one that you will not soon forget. You can learn more about Baltimore’s place in African American history by visiting the following attractions and historic landmarks. Please note that the “marker” designations in the listings below mean that the sites can be visited, but most offer no activities (tours, etc.).

Afro-American Newspapers 2509 North Charles Street; 410-554-8200 www.afro.com: The Afro is the longest running, family-owned, African American newspaper in the nation. Founded in 1892 by John H. Murphy, Sr., a former slave, The Afro became a voice for civil rights in the 1950s and '60s. Today, it continues to provide the latest on news and current events from an African American perspective. Tours by appointment.
Baltimore Tennis Club Marker ("A Sense of Sanctuary" Marker) Druid Hill Park, adjacent to the Conservatory, Druid Park Lake Drive: During its heyday in the 1920s and '30s, the Royal Theater was home to some of the greatest acts in jazz and blues. The Royal Theater Monument, dedicated in 2004, celebrates the great hall that hosted music legends like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.
Billie Holiday Statue and Royal Theater Marquis Monument 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue: Like many public sites during the Jim Crow era, the Baltimore Tennis Club was open and available to "whites only." In 1948, 24 African-Americans were arrested for leading a public protest against segregation at the Druid Hill tennis court.
Black Soldiers Statue, Battle Monument Plaza Baltimore Monument Plaza, Calvert and Lexington Streets: Covered in medals and patches, this nine-foot bronze statue was erected to pay tribute to African American soldiers from all branches of service, and from every American conflict.
Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse Corner of Lexington and St. Paul streets: In 1985, Baltimore City's main courthouse, located in the midst of the downtown business district, was rededicated in honor of Baltimore's Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., a nationally respected civil rights leader.
Frederick Douglass Marker Fell's Point: In 2003, the city of Baltimore dedicated the Frederick Douglass Marker in Fell's Point Square to celebrate the life of the great abolitionist, publisher and orator.
Frederick Douglass Statue Morgan State University 1700 E. Coldspring Lane; 443-885-3333 www.morgan.edu: This statue of Frederick Douglass stands in front of Holmes Hall at Morgan State, and is the University's most widely recognized architectural landmark.
Hampton National Historic Site 535 Hampton Lane; 410-823-1309 www.nps.gov/hamp: Hampton National Historic Site offers a variety of programs that take you through a Georgian mansion, landscaped grounds and gardens. Hampton has a remarkable collection of outbuildings, including original slave quarters, barns and a farmhouse.
Leon Day Way Oriole Park at Camden Yards: The Eutaw Street entrance of Camden Yards was renamed to honor Leon Day, the 12th player from the Negro Leagues to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
McKim Free School Marker 1120 E. Baltimore Street; 410-276-5519 www.mckimcenter.org: The McKim Center's roots date back to the early 19th century as the city's first free school for African-American children. Founded by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the Presbyterian Church communities, the Center has been successfully serving children for over 50 years. Today, McKim is a community center with year-round programs for seniors and young people.
Mother Mary Lange Monument George Street off of Pennsylvania Avenue: Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, founder of the first order of African-American nuns, is honored here for her work with Baltimore's children and youth.
Mother Seton House St. Mary's Spiritual Center and Historic Site on Paca Street 600 North Paca Street Baltimore, MD 21201 410-728-6464 www.stmarysspiritualcenter.org: This historic site is the birthplace of the very first African-American Catholic community and the first African-American Catholic Lay Society of the Holy Family. Mother Mary Lange founded the first community for women of color in the United States, the Oblate Sisters of Providence.
NAACP Baltimore Branch 8 W. 26th Street; 410-366-3300 www.naacpbaltimore.org: Founded in 1912, the Baltimore City Branch of the NAACP is the second-oldest chartered branch of the NAACP in the United States. The Baltimore City NAACP has played an important role in supporting the NAACP's mission to guarantee freedom and justice for all people.
NAACP Headquarters and Dorothy Parker Memorial 4805 Mount Hope Drive; 410-358-8900 www.naacp.org: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its national headquarters, which moved to Baltimore in 1986, features national civil rights archives and a memorial garden named for writer Dorothy Parker. Tours are available by reservation.
Thurgood Marshall Statue Corner of Pratt and Sharp streets: This Baltimore-born legend had an enduring impact on civil rights and made history as the country's first African-American Supreme Court Justice. His statue stands at the heart of Baltimore's downtown area.
Wall of Pride Carey and Cumberland streets: Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Paul Robeson and Langston Hughes are some of the heroes memorialized in this urban mural.