5 Historic Sites to Check Out During a Baltimore Trade Show

If you’re heading to Maryland for a Baltimore trade show, you’re in for a treat. The city is filled with great food, diehard sports fans, a vibrant culture, and a ton of American historical sites. In fact, the is within minutes of some of the most important spots in United States history. So while you’re in town, make some time to check them out!

Fort McHenry

Have you ever wanted to visit the spot that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the U.S. National Anthem? Well, it’s less than ten minutes from the BCC, and it’s absolutely brimming with historical information.

Fort McHenry has been a crucial location throughout much of American history. A few decades after it was defended against the British during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 and Key scribed the melody to “The Star Spangled Banner”, it served as a stronghold for the Union during the American Civil War. The Fort even played a role in World War I, when it was turned into U.S. Army General Hospital No. 2, a 3,000-bed facility for wounded soldiers returning home from overseas.

Nowadays, you can walk the 43-acre grounds (much of which is free to the public), learn about the iconic fort at the visitor center, or interact with the Living History Guards.

Historic Ships

Immerse yourself in maritime history by checking out Baltimore’s Historic Ships. At just a six-minute walk from the Baltimore Convention Center, you can head over even if you only have a quick lunch break from the show floor! While you enjoy the waterfront views of the Patapsco River, you’ll learn about and explore these four historic ships:

USS Constellation. Perhaps the most popular of the Historic Ships of Baltimore, this is the only Civil War-era ship that’s still around today.
LV116 Chesapeake. This lightship patrolled Chesapeake Bay for more than two decades and now invites you aboard.
USS Torsk. This is your chance to experience life inside a Navy submarine. Deployed to the Pacific during World War II, this ship now serves as a museum and memorial.
USCG Cutter 37. From the 1930s until the 1980s, this Coast Guard vessel was used for search and rescue, law enforcement, and patrol until it was decommissioned in 1986.

After you’ve explored all the ships, check out the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse. This structure was built in 1856, and although it stopped operating in the 1940s, visitors are still welcome to peruse its extensive collection of artifacts and learn about the history of Baltimore Harbor.

Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum

Get to know one of the most enigmatic figures in history at the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. You’ll walk in Poe’s footsteps and see where he wrote some of his most haunting stories and poems. If strolling through the house doesn’t quench your thirst for knowledge about the literary icon, Poe Baltimore offers additional tours and attractions, including:

The Poe Death Exhibit & Carroll Mansion
Poe’s Death in Baltimore Bus Tour
Virtual tours of the house
Annual events like The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards and The Black Cat Ball

You can even pay your respects to Poe when you have a quick break from your Baltimore trade show. Walk just half a mile from the BCC to Westminster Burial Ground and recite a few lines of your favorite Poe work at the monument near the cemetery’s entrance. While you’re there, you can also visit the final resting places of several key figures from the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

Federal Hill Park

On one of the many lovely weather days in Baltimore, visit the 8.5-acre Federal Hill Park. Take in the breathtaking views of downtown Baltimore and the Patapsco River, grab some snacks and refreshments at the onsite restaurants or bars, and enjoy a relaxing moment to yourself in Flag Staff Plaza.

You can even learn about history in this beautiful greenspace. The land the park now occupies was a stronghold during both the War of 1812 and the Civil War and is the home to monuments to Colonel George Armistead and General Samuel Smith.

Maryland Center for History and Culture

Maybe you’ll have little extra time to take in as much history as possible during your Baltimore trade show. If that’s the case, head over to the Maryland Center for History and Culture, which is just one mile away from the BCC. Founded in 1844, this museum is a must-visit for history buffs. Here are a few features you can enjoy there:

Locally discovered artifacts that are thousands of years old
12,000 garments that show you contemporary fashion throughout Baltimore’s four-century history
A huge library filled with over seven million books and educational materials
Paintings by local artists

While you’re there, don’t forget to look at Francis Scott Key’s handwritten manuscript of the song that became the U.S. National Anthem. You might even find yourself humming along as you read the lyrics!

We’ll Help You Enjoy Your Baltimore Trade Show—and the History that Surrounds the BCC!

There’s too much awesome history in Baltimore to confine yourself to the convention center. We’ll be happy to handle your trade show exhibit installation and show services so you can venture out and immerse yourself in the American historical sites throughout the city.