2018 Civilian Symposium, Day 0: Baltimore

Returning to the Civilian Symposium, now in Gettysburg, PA.

Not that I'm quite there, yet. I flew in via Baltimore this time, and took the day to explore a tiny portion of the city.  The history nerd's obligatory first stop, of course, was Fort McHenry*.

Fort McHenry, sans British warships.

As of 1400 hours, the banner was (appropriately) still waving.  Also, the view was spectacular. The buildings reminded me a lot of Fort Snelling, which makes sense time-wise. For future planning, the "Banner" circulator buses which run out to the fort also go past about a million other museums.

My next stop was the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History.  The permanent exhibits on the third floor are pretty. Like, really nicely curated and presented.  I'm not entirely sure where one was supposed to start, but the circuit lay-out ensured I still saw everything, and the internal logic between the cases worked in multiple directions--while covering four hundred years of history.  When I grow up, I want to design exhibits like this.

The second floor has a special art exhibition Reflections, with some stunning photography.  I liked the artist's concept of photographing the work spaces of important figures. Also, the labels told the stories behind the art, which always wins me over.

Reginald Lewis Maryland African American Museum.

The Baltimore Civil War Museum was also on my agenda, but it's apparently closed on off-season weekdays.  However, they did make up for it by having some interpretative signs out in the city. And, since it's in the old President's Street depot and I needed to catch the lightrail from Camden Yards, when I left the museum I ended up following the route of the 1861 Baltimore Riot.  

A Civil War walking tour coincided with my return journey.

*Also, it is tradition in my family, upon completing an over-night flight, to locate the nearest coastal fortification and giggle at the artillery, instead sleeping or something.