Baltimore’s Cultural Hub

One of the great strengths of the the Mount Vernon-Belvedere neighborhood is the number, variety and quality of the cultural institutions located here.

A world-class museum, an internationally acclaimed orchestra and a leading music conservatory are our neighbors. So are three theaters, including the city’s premier acting company and its oldest experimental theater venue. And for those wanting to explore Maryland’s material culture and history, it’s only a short walk away.

Residents of Mount Vernon-Belvedere are blessed to live among such cultural wealth. The following are brief introductions to these venues–beginning with museums, then music venues, to theaters–and how you can make them part of your Mount-Vernon-Belvedere experience. (Some venues, of course, fit into more than one category like a museum offering concerts.)

Walters Art Museum

Main entrance : 10 W. Centre St.
Admission: Free, except some special exhibitions
Website: thewalters.org
Virtual tour: thewalters.org/experience/virtual
Events calendar: thewalters.org/events

The Walters Art Museum is justly renown for its collections of artifacts from ancient cultures, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Asia. Housed in three buildings–the 1909 palazzo-style original building, the 1974 poured-concrete annex and the 1850 Greek-Revival Hackerman House–the Walters began thanks to the voracious collecting of father and son Willam and Henry Walters.

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Maryland Center for History and Culture

Location: 610 Park Ave.
Website: mdhistory.org
Free admission: First Thursday and Second Saturday of the month
Library: Open by appointment only.

Formerly the Maryland Historical Society, the museum houses the largest collection of Maryland culture in the state that begins with Native American artifacts, then follows European culture from the earliest settler days right up to the 21st century. Strengths include Peale family paintings, Maryland-made furniture, Kirk silver, and four centuries of clothing. The H. Furlong Baldwin library is an invaluable depository of over seven million items of documents and photographs that cover the arts, culture, politics including civil rights.

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George Peabody Library

Location:  17 E Mt Vernon Pl.
Website: peabodyevents.library.jhu.edu
Phone: 443-840-9585

While the George Peabody Library does act as a research library, it offers exhibitions from its vast collection of first editions, children’s books and natural history folios. The 1878 library itself is the main attraction, with its six tiers of cast-iron balconies. The library also presents lectures and concerts, and is a stunning location that can be rented for private events.

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Mount Vernon Place Conservancy

Location: Mount Vernon Place
Website: mvpconservancy.org
Contact: 410-962-5070, info@MVPConservancy.org

The Conservancy consists of the four parks that radiate from the iconic Washington Monument, which was designed by Robert Mills in 1814 and was completed in 1829. The monument is opening in stages, with the gallery opening first and the climb up the tower to be phased in later. Admission is free. Next year the Flower Mart will again be in-person, as opposed to the online event this spring.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Location: 1212 Cathedral St.
Website: bsomusic.org
Calendar: my.bsomusic.org/events
Box Office: 410-783-8000

Begun in 1916, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra keeps growing in stature.

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The Lyric

Location: 110 W. Mt. Royal Ave
Website: lyricbaltimore.com
Box Office: 800-982-2787

The Lyric is a non-profit performing arts center. What began as Baltimore Opera House in the late 19th century, it is now principally a venue for national touring acts, from music, dance, comedy and youth and educational programs. The next scheduled event is not until July. Schools have used the Lyric for graduation ceremonies.

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Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Location: 1 E Mount Vernon Pl.
Website: peabody.jhu.edu
Online Concerts: peabody.jhu.edu/concerts-events/?event_type=56 
Ticket Office: 667-208-6620, boxoffice@peabody.jhu.edu

Founded in 1857 by George Peabody, the Peabody Institute has been one of the country’s principle music conservatories ever since. It boasts a stellar faculty and an illustrious list of alumni. It is anticipated that in the fall Peabody will resume a full schedule of free concerts by both students and faculty.

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Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center

Location: 847 N. Howard St.
Website: eubieblake.org
Contact: 410.225-3130, info@eubieblake.org

Eubie Blake, born James Hubert Blake, was a legendary Baltimore-born jazz pianist.  The center maintains an exhibition celebrating his legacy. It also hosts concerts, dance classes and art exhibitions.

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An Die Musik

Location: 409 N. Charles St.
Website: andiemusiklive.com
Phone: 410-385-2638
Streaming calendar: andiemusiklive.com/events

Located in a townhouse on Charles Street, An die Music, a venue for jazz concerts in an intimate setting, has been offering streaming concerts since March 2020. It has begun limited in-person seating.

Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre

Location: 817 St. Paul St.
Website: spotlighters.org
E-Newsletter: app.arts-people.com/index.php?mailing_list=spot

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Center Stage

Location: 700 N. Calvert St
Website: centerstage.org

Center Stage soon established itself as a leader in regional theater movement after its founding in 1963 and was designated the State Theater of Maryland in 1978. Its Mount Vernon home since 1975 boasts two main stages plus a more intimate performance space.

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Theatre Project

Location: 45 W. Preston St.
Website: theatreproject.org
Contact: 410-539-3091

This year is the Theatre Project’s 50th birthday. It’s been the home of exciting, innovative performances from theater to dance to chamber opera. There are nine resident companies that perform there as well as a number of frequently returning artists.

Baltimore Basilica

Location: 409 Cathedral St.
Website: americasfirstcathedral.org
Tour information (both virtual and in-person): americasfirstcathedral.org/tour

Completed in 1821, the Basilica of the Assumption is still very much a place of worship with masses celebrated every day. It has great historical significance as America’s first cathedral, and thanks to architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe the Basilica is an extraordinary building. Both a virtual and in-person tours are available.

Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Library

Location: 400 Cathedral St.
Website: prattlibrary.org/locations/central
Contact: 410-396-5430
Live online events: live.prattlibrary.org

The newly renovated central branch not only lends books, but offers digital loans of movies, ebooks and even TV shows. Its digital collections include historical materials like maps, books and photographs.

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George Peabody Library

Location:  17 E Mt Vernon Pl.
Website: peabodyevents.library.jhu.edu
Phone: 443-840-9585

While the George Peabody Library does act as a research library, it offers exhibitions from its vast collection of first editions, children’s books and natural history folios. The 1878 library itself is the main attraction, with its six tiers of cast-iron balconies. The library also presents lectures and concerts, and is a stunning location that can be rented for private events.

Arena Players Incorporated

Location: 801 McCulloh St.
Website: arenaplayersinc.com
Phone: 410-728-6500

Arena Players is the nation’s oldest continuously operating African-American community theater. Besides theatrical performances, it offers classes for young people in its Youtheater program.

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SNF Parkway Theatre

Location: 5 W. North Ave.
Website: mdfilmfest.com

The Parkway Theatre is the home of the Maryland Film Festival. Currently all movies are shown virtually.

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The Charles Theater

Location: 1711 N. Charles St.
Website: thecharles.com

This multiplex features first-run films, foreign films and cinema classics.