Laurel Museum facts for kids
on November 16, 2013
|
|
| Established | May 1, 1996 |
|---|---|
| Location | 817 Main Street, Laurel, Maryland |
| Type | Local history museum |
| Public transit access | Laurel MARC; or CMRT routes C, G, or H |
The Laurel Museum is a cool place to learn about history in Laurel, Maryland. It's located in an old house that was built a long time ago, between 1836 and 1840. This house used to be home to people who worked in a mill! The City of Laurel fixed it up, and it opened as a museum on May 1, 1996. You can find it on the corner of 9th and Main Streets. The museum shows off the history of Laurel and the people who lived there. There's also a gift shop, and it's free to visit!
Contents
What is the Laurel Museum?
The Laurel Museum is a special place where you can explore the past of Laurel, Maryland. It helps people understand how the city grew and changed over many years. The museum has different exhibits that tell stories about the community.
The Museum Building's History
The building itself has a long and interesting story. It was built by a person named Horace Capron. When it was first built, it had four separate living areas for different families. Later, it was changed into a house for two families.
Over time, the building became a business property. Before it was empty in the 1970s, it was used as a rental home and a storage place. In 1985, the City of Laurel bought the building.
Who Runs the Museum?
The Laurel Museum is managed by the Laurel Historical Society. This group is an educational organization that started in 1976. They work to preserve and share the history of Laurel.
How the Museum Started
The Laurel Historical Society got permission to use the city-owned building for a museum. This happened on February 25, 1991, when the mayor and city council agreed to it. The building was then renovated, meaning it was fixed up and made new again. This work happened between 1993 and 1996. The museum officially opened its doors to the public on May 1, 1996.
The Research Library
The museum has a special research library. It is named after John Calder Brennan. He was a local historian who studied and wrote about the history of Laurel. Sadly, he passed away just a few months before the museum opened.
Special Collections at the Museum
The Laurel Museum is home to some unique collections that help tell Laurel's story.
The Sadler Collection
One important collection is called The Sadler Collection. It came from the family of a photographer named Bert Sadler. They gave the museum Sadler's notebooks and 1300 glass plate negatives. These negatives are like old-fashioned film that photographers used. They show many pictures of Laurel from the past. This collection was first a loan, but in 2007, it became a permanent gift to the museum.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Laurel para niños
- List of historical societies in Maryland
