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) was started in 1959. Its main goal is to save, explain, and show the history of Baltimore County. This helps people today and in the future learn about Maryland's past. It's also a great place if you want to research your family history or learn about local events.
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. The Society is located in Cockeysville, Maryland. Its home is the Agriculture Building, which used to be the Baltimore County Almshouse. This old building was built in 1872. It once housed people who needed help until 1958.
The Society is a nonprofit group, meaning it uses its money to help the community. It has a special library and research area. Since 1966, the Society has published History Trails. This is a journal that shares popular history stories about the county. The HSBC also works with other museums and groups on different programs.
Exploring the Almshouse Farm Site
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The Historical Society is located on what was once the Baltimore County Home Property. Its campus has several buildings. The most important one is the Almshouse, where the offices and library are. Other buildings include the Pest house, the Smokehouse, and the Barn.
The Almshouse: A Historic Home
The Almshouse was built in 1872 using local limestone. A fire damaged it in 1919, but it was rebuilt. After 1958, when new ways of caring for people were found, it stopped being a poorhouse. Since 1959, the Historical Society and other county groups have used the Almshouse.
During the Cold War, the Almshouse was even used as a fallout shelter. Emergency supplies from that time are still in the basement! In 1980, the Almshouse was named a Baltimore County Landmark. This means it's an important historical place.
The Pest House: For Health and History
The Pest House got its name because it was used to separate people who were sick. This two-story building with a slate roof was built soon after the Almshouse. The outside of the building looks okay, but the inside needs a lot of work. It has been empty for many years and has been damaged.
In 2012, a group called Preservation Maryland added the Pest House to its list of historic places that are in danger. The same year, the Baltimore Sun newspaper reported on the building. It was built in 1872 to house sick people. Now, there are efforts to save it and turn it into a center for African-American history in the county.
The Barn: A Farm Museum
The Barn is a newer building. It was built on the spot where an old 19th-century barn once stood. That older barn was destroyed by fire in the 1970s. Today, the Barn is home to a farm museum. This museum is named after Dickinson Gorsuch (1878-1970). He was a veterinarian in Baltimore County. His gift helped create the museum in 1993.
Amazing Collections
The Historical Society of Baltimore County has many cool things!
Artifacts: Objects from the Past
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The museum has over 10,000 historical items. Some of these are not always on display. But you can sometimes see them in special exhibits. There are also hundreds of collections of old documents and records.
Maps: Exploring Old Landscapes
The Society has a collection of more than 500 maps and atlases. These can show you how Baltimore County looked long ago.
Library: Books on History
The Society's library holds 4,000 books. These books are all about history, especially local history.
Photographs: Pictures from History
More than 8,000 old photographs are kept in the Society's files. These pictures show what life was like in the past.
Genealogy: Tracing Your Family Tree
The Society has 9,000 family name files. Most of these can be found at the Society. They often focus on one spelling of a family name. For people researching their family history, there are also maps. These maps show the names of landowners and where their homes were located. The HSBC also offers free Genealogy classes on the first Thursday of each month. You can also find some records of gravestone writings.
Online Database: Digital History
Some of the Society's records are available online. There are about 33,000 records in a searchable database. You can search by keywords or use an "Advanced Search." There's also a "Random Images button" and other ways to look through the catalog.
Other Resources and Activities
The Society has over 1,900 files on many different topics. Their library books and photo collection are also listed online. If you visit the Society and are not a member, there is a small entrance fee. There are also fees for making copies or taking pictures with your phone or camera.
The HSBC has received awards for its work. In 2014, it got an award from the Costume Society of America. In 2009, it hosted the Friends of Texas, Maryland. They have also held events with the Baltimore City Historical Society. These events covered topics like police history and Baltimore's water history. Volunteers at the Society have researched a small town called Warren. This town is now underwater, beneath the Loch Raven Reservoir. They also give talks about family history.
