Historical Society of Baltimore County facts for kids
Logo of The Historical Society of Baltimore County
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| Abbreviation | HSBC |
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| Formation | 1959 |
| Type | Historical Society, Museum |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization |
| Purpose | Historical Preservation, Education |
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Executive Director
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James G. Keffer |
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President, Board of Directors
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Scott Batton |
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Vice-President, Board of Directors
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Tom Graf |
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C.P.A., Treasurer
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H. David Delluomo |
The Historical Society of Baltimore County (HSBC) started in 1959. Its main goal is to save and share the history of Baltimore County. They want to help people today and in the future learn about Maryland's past. It's a great place to research local history and your own family's story.
The HSBC works to achieve its mission in many ways. They offer talks, workshops, and fun educational books. They also lead historical tours and create interesting exhibits. You can find the Society in Cockeysville, Maryland. Their main building is the Agriculture Building. This building was once the Baltimore County Almshouse. It was built in 1872 and used to care for people in need until 1958.
The Society is a non-profit group. It has a library and a special place for research. Since 1966, they have published a journal called History Trails. This journal shares popular stories about the county's history. The HSBC also works with other museums on different programs.
Exploring the Almshouse Farm Site
The Historical Society is located on the County Home Property. It has several buildings, some very old. The main building is the Almshouse, where the offices and library are. Other buildings include the Pest house, a Smokehouse, and a Barn.
The Almshouse Building
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The Almshouse was built in 1872 using local limestone. A fire damaged it in 1919, but it was rebuilt. After 1958, it was no longer used as a poorhouse. Since 1959, the Historical Society and other county groups have used the Almshouse. During the Cold War, it was even a fallout shelter. Emergency supplies from that time are still in the basement. The Almshouse became a Baltimore County Landmark in 1980.
The Pest House Building
The Pest House was used to keep sick residents separate. This two-story building has a slate roof. It was built soon after the Almshouse. The outside of the building is in good shape. However, the inside has been empty for many years and has been damaged. In 2012, Preservation Maryland listed the Pest House as a threatened historic property. There have been efforts to save it and turn it into a center for African-American history.
The Barn and Farm Museum
The Barn is a newer building. It stands on the old foundation of a 19th-century barn. The original barn was destroyed by fire in the 1970s. This barn now holds a farm museum. The museum is named after Dickinson Gorsuch, a Baltimore County veterinarian. His gift helped create the museum in 1993.
What You Can Find at HSBC
The Historical Society has many interesting items and resources.
Historical Artifacts
The museum has over 10,000 objects in its collection. Some of these are not always on display. However, you might see them in special exhibits. There are also hundreds of collections of old documents and records.
Maps and Atlases
The Society has a collection of more than 500 maps and atlases. These can show you how the county has changed over time.
The Research Library
The Society's library holds 4,000 books. These books cover many topics about local history.
Historic Photographs
You can find over 8,000 old photographs in the Society's files. These pictures show what life was like in the past.
Family History (Genealogy) Resources
The Society has 9,000 files about family names. Most of these can be found at the Society. They often focus on one spelling of a family name. For people researching their family tree, there are also maps. These maps show where landowners lived. The HSBC also offers free Genealogy classes. These classes are held on the first Thursday of each month. You can also find some records of gravestone writings.
Online Database
Part of the Society's records are available online. There are 33,000 records in a searchable database. You can use a "Keyword Search" or "Advanced Search." There's also a "Random Images button" and other ways to search.
Other Resources and Visiting Information
The Society has over 1,900 vertical files on different topics. Their library books and photo collection are also indexed online. If you are not a member, there is a small entrance fee to visit. There are also small fees for making photocopies or taking pictures with a digital device.
Activities and Events
The HSBC has received awards for its work. They have also hosted events with other historical groups. For example, they held joint events with the Baltimore City Historical Society. These events covered topics like police history and Baltimore's water history. Volunteers have also researched a town called Warren. This town is now under the waters of Loch Raven Reservoir. The Society also gives talks about family history.
See also
- List of historical societies in Maryland
