Baltimore Museum of Industry

What a hidden gem! The Baltimore Museum of Industry was way more interesting than I expected. It’s packed with hands-on exhibits and real artifacts that tell the story of how Baltimore helped build America’s workforce. From old printing presses and garment factory setups to vintage machinery and shipping exhibits, everything feels authentic and well-preserved. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and the museum layout made it easy to explore different industries at your own pace. I especially loved the recreation of a 1940s pharmacy and the canning exhibit—felt like stepping back in time. They do a great job of making the history personal by including local stories and real-life experiences from Baltimore’s past. It’s great for both adults and kids, and right on the water with beautiful views. Whether you’re a history buff, love old-school machinery, or just want something unique to do in Baltimore, this place is definitely worth the visit. Would absolutely come back!

Excellent and very extensive exhibits on local industrial history. In many of them you feel like you’re traveling back to a different time in history. Staff members are very friendly and welcoming. The neighborhood is very walkable with several different restaurants and coffee shops. There is an amazing view of the Inner Harbor and Domino Sugar refinery.

The Baltimore Museum of Industry is a hidden gem for history and industry enthusiasts. The exhibits do a fantastic job of bringing Baltimore’s industrial revolution to life, with interactive displays and well-documented historical insights. One of the highlights for me was the 1865 oyster cannery exhibit, which truly made me appreciate the hard work and innovation of the past. The museum is well-maintained, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the city’s industrial heritage. The waterfront location adds to the experience, offering beautiful views of the harbor. If you’re in Baltimore and looking for an educational yet engaging experience, I highly recommend visiting!

Really enjoyed coming here. I came originally for my son’s engineering competition. While I was here, I got to explore some of the museum. Highly recommend to visit this place. Love it and definitely family friendly here.

Came here with my friends on a middle school 8th grade end of year trip a few weeks ago. It was really cool to see how the machines shaped Baltimore and learn some interesting things. The history part me and the boys thought was super boring so we walked off as the teacher was talking to the group and did our own thing. We looked at some of the cool exhibits and machines they have and we even saw a bakery. We told our female teacher Mrs smith to get in the kitchen where she belongs and bake us some bread. Back in those days that’s where a women belonged is in the kitchen while us men put hair on our chest and busted our ass by a hot furnace is some steel mill or something like that. She wasn’t too happy we disrespected her like that but we didn’t care. Me and the boys Connor, nick, Ryan and Alex went off exploring and got lost in the museum. Some staff members helped us find our way around and were super friendly, knowledgeable and nice. They explained some of the exhibits and equipment in a much less boring way than our teachers did. We were so happy to actually have fun learning and get the teachers off our asses for a good hour or so. Then me and the boys went to the bathroom and splashed each other with water on the crotch and made it look like we peed ourselves. The teachers were gutted by our behavior but we had fun so YOLO FAM 😂. Would I recommend this place ? Absolutely it’s amazing and a lot to learn. If u come as a family set aside a good 4 hours because their is a lot to see and learn here.

I had a really good time visiting the BMI I was there for the Black Azz flee and the Juneteenth event. It was a cool oasis. I will be back to enjoy this place again. I really like the neon lights . I want one of those totes.

It's kind of too early to give feedback,; I'm still flying high. I loved the layout of the museum and the basic explanations on all books the exhibits. My son and I are going back, but this time without his classmates.

Nice museum, pretty darn informative too. I learned a lot about the industrial past, the rise and falls of various industries here. Plenty of interesting information kiosk, they provide tons of information in a short and concise manner. Makes me appreciate the history of this city all the more.

This is a very cool museum and it tells a different history of Baltimore and how we fit in the various industries of creation. Ive been here on field trips, for a wedding expo, and now for their extended hours partnership with the BLK A$$ Flea Market. It was a nice midweek pick me up. The extended hours are great to get around the working hours, and it helps to avoid the weekend rush. There is a lot to see in the Museum itself, and the collaboration with panels and workshops added a nice element to it all. The music performance was also great. LISTENING TO A DJ WHILE WALKING THROUGH THE MUSEUM WAS SO DOPE AND SHOULD BE A REGULAR PRACTICE OF MUSEUMS. IT TAKES IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

Because we were in Baltimore for such a short time, we only had time for one major attraction, and we chose the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The BMI is not a big museum, but there was plenty to see and I learned a lot about the history of Baltimore. And at $12 a ticket (or $7 for students, which I am), the price was very reasonable. At the time of our visit you still had to purchase timed tickets in advance due to covid regulations (per the website, this no longer seems to be in effect), and fortunately, we arrived shortly before a tour was due to start. The tour, which was about the four major industries that Baltimore was known for (oyster fishing and canning, blacksmithing, printing, and textiles), was excellent, and very interesting. (Fun fact: did you know that the linotype machine was invented in Baltimore?!) After the tour we took a look around the rest of the museum and learned more about the history and industry of Baltimore: a replica pharmacy from 1910, exhibits about the age of automobiles and telecommunications, various companies with ties to Baltimore and Maryland, and more. The BMI was an excellent museum and we enjoyed our visit. [Yelp collections: East Coast 2022; Baltimore, MD 2022; Museums and Art Galleries; Cheap Thrills]

It's just a bit farther from the touristy part of town than I usually go (which I suspect will be true for many). However, it is well worth a visit. The museum, housed in an old industrial building, provides both an interesting look at both the subject matter and the city. While it is only one floor, the warehouse is large, and exhibits range from a cannery section to blacksmithing to garment manufacturing to a printing press. I will say that from what I read, tours for the public were on Saturdays, and the tour added significantly to the experience. Our tour guide was very open about letting kids go behind the barriers and demonstrate how various bits of machinery worked. I would definitely try to plan ahead and get a tour. Many highly specific Baltimore references were embedded, and the museum paints the city as being a hub of industry in its day, whereas I think most people who don't live here think of the city as being either the Aquarium and its surroundings or they think of The Wire. It is interesting to imagine someone manually walking down the streets to light gas-powered street lights (which was demonstrated for us) or to read about the gas shortages of the '70's (still a timely subject). There was a lot of good detail in the exhibitions, and with an hour or so spent on the tour I might have been there close to two hours in total. It was definitely the sort of thing that adults and children could both do and get something out of, and I saw people of a wide range of ages patronizing the museum.

Nice museum devoted to the late 19th and early 20th century industry of Baltimore. The museum was not large, but it packed meaningful and educational information. The displays were nicely arranged with informative plaques. I was able to finish the museum in three hours at a leisurely pace. The cost was $15 per adult. I am sorry I didn't get other prices. I enjoyed and highly recommend this museum.

I went to BMI for a private event so I cant say i got the full experience but this event made me excited to do other things in the space. they had the museum open for us and had a museum educator on hand who was able to tell us more about the exhibits and even run through a couple of demos which were fun to watch in a private setting. We also had a private reception of sorts in the grand room over looking the water. Between the great views and the free time to browse the exhibits I truly enjoyed my first visit to the museum. What I will say is take your time, read through things. There is great local history here and its fun to learn.

When it comes to corporate galas or weddings, the BMI is a best-kept secret in Baltimore! It is by far the most UNIQUE location for medium and large events. We recently held our corporate gala at the BMI on 12/9/23, and with the theme of 1920's, the museum's exhibits added to the excitement. Our guests enjoyed the party space inside the museum and we also rented the exterior space, which overlooks the harbor. Located directly across from the iconic Domino Sugar sign, our guest clamored for photos with the sign in the background. The museum staff were very attentive to our guests' needs and they worked hand-in-hand with our caterer, Zeffert and Gold, to ensure the gala was a success. The event space is very reasonably priced and ALL of you rental fee goes to the non-profit, how cool is that! This is our second time using the museum for important corporate events and they have delivered both times!

I lived in the DMV for decades, but I have never heard of the BMI before, let alone visit. BMI is located in downtown Baltimore, by the harbor, but a little bit off the beaten track from the touristy Inner Harbor. You can't miss it because there is a huge green crane in front of the museum. I could see it from Fells Point across the harbor. It's a hidden gem in my opinion. I spent over two hours there, mostly joining the great guided tours that introduced Baltimore industrial history and machinery demonstrations. The docents were very knowledgeable and skillful. I wouldn't miss it. They all made a great difference for the enjoyment and the experience of the visit. If you're a history buff, and if you want to learn more about the gilded age in Baltimore, the dominant industries in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as oysters, canned food, garment, printing, gas, energy, and Bethlehem Steel , this is the place to see. Most importantly, you can learn about the lives and working conditions of oyster shuckers, garment makers, and steel workers.  It's a very rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Well if I'm being honest, I planned to visit a different museum on the December Saturday afternoon. But... there was a special event planned and it wasn't open to the general public, I guess I qualified for the general public category. So I took a detour to BMI. The design is super easy to navigate, it's one big loop. And I love museums where you can interact and be hands on. Between morse code, the fuel quiz, and the old ice cream soda fountain, I got more than my share. The display about Bethlehem Steel was riveting. One long collage, but the stories and pictures really got my attention. Also the communications center was a highlight with old school radios, tvs, and phones. Baltimore has had its shares of highs and lows in its long history and this museum gives a great snapshot of its economic story. Go visit!

Pretty small but fun and educational. The staffs are very kind and knowledgable. good enough for 2 hours.

On a recent trip to Baltimore, we made a last-minute decision to visit the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Although we only had an hour before closing time, it was enough to get a good taste of what this fantastic museum has to offer. Ideally, one would want to spend 2-3 hours to fully appreciate its many exhibits. The museum is dedicated to showcasing Baltimore's rich industrial history, and it does an exceptional job of it. I was particularly impressed by how the exhibits were organized into small rooms, each focusing on a different industry or trade. This thoughtful layout allowed for a more immersive and intimate experience with each display. The collection of antique machinery and period-correct items was outstanding, providing an authentic glimpse into the past. I found myself captivated by the stories and the ingenuity of the people who built the foundation of Baltimore's thriving industries. Although our visit was brief, it left a lasting impression, and I can't wait to return when we have more time to devote to exploring the museum's many treasures. I highly recommend the Baltimore Museum of Industry to anyone interested in understanding the city's fascinating industrial past.

Loved this place. Very informative. I think it is geared a little more for people who enjoy reading. Not sure little ones would like it nearly as much as I did. I read everything! Loved learning a little about Baltimore's industrial history.

Attended a wedding here. A beautiful fall day for an outdoor ceremony. It took place on the edge of the harbor with delightful views and plenty of space. Seemed like about ~150 guests or so. The wedding party was huge 10 bridesmaids and 8 ushers. The Museum is quite nice and the cocktail hour was spread out throughout the facility. Extremely interesting objects from the high days of Baltimore's industrial past. The full service bar could have used another bartender or two. Finger foods were available and I particularly enjoyed the Mac and cheese on parmesan crackers. Dinner was served in an L shaped dining room facing the harbor. A moderate sized dance floor was quite sufficient. Service was excellent. Food was fine beef filet. Half a chicken and a vegetarian dishes were also offered. We really enjoyed the event. I would recommend this venue for a wedding or any other type of large dinner. Mark & Nancy.

Bottom Line: A mesmerizing museum that tells the proud history of the industries that have thrived in Baltimore over many decades. Bawl'mor gets such a bad wrap but there are many cultural and historical gems in the city including the Baltimore Museum of Industry. I love this museum! The Baltimore Museum of Industry is located inside the last remaining cannery in Baltimore and specifically the Platt and Company Oyster packers. The location offers nice views of the city's skyline but I almost find the original wide-plank floors even more enchanting. Also great about the location is that the museum has its own parking lot! This family friendly museum covers lots of different industries in Baltimore. Here are some of my favorites that are featured in the museum: - Baltimore as a thriving port city - Canning of oysters in the fall and winter and veggies in the summer - Food production and especially baking (yum yum Berger cookies) - Meat packing - Garment and umbrella manufacturing My very favorite exhibit on my most recent trip was the video playing in the theater about Helen Delich Bentley and her TV show that ran on WMAR for 15 years that covered the port. She later became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and now Baltimore's port is named in her honor. The clip of the video I saw talked about the competitive advantages and disadvantages of Baltimore's port. I didn't watch the whole video and I sorely regret it now! I also really enjoyed two of the temporary exhibits - Shuttered: Images from the Fall of Bethlehem Steel and the 20th Century Woman at Work window display. I like Shuttered because I fairly recently came to understand the historical significance of the Bethlehem Steel mill and shipyard. My father worked there for decades (both Key Highway and Sparrows Point) and now it is crazy to dry by Sparrows Point and to see that it is all gone. The 20th Century Woman at Work exhibit is about the garments and uniforms worn by woman working in Baltimore but I also like how it gives a nod to our invaluable front-line workers. Other history and industries that were covered and of interest to me are the B&O Railroad and the Mount Clare Shops, Steiff Silverware and the Baltimore Gas Lamps. I missed seeing the Eskay truck which is no longer in the Fueling the Automobile Age exhibit. I guess it must be out making deliveries. :-) My most recent visit was during COVID. The museum is offering 90-minute reservations where a single group has the entire museum to themselves. So I booked a spot and planned a family field trip. Ranging from ages 5 to 73 we all had a good time. And it was fun to see the museum through the eyes of my family. My five year old niece loved the kid-friendly touch boxes and my 73 year old mother enthusiastically told stories of being ferried around in her uncle's 1948 Super 8, 7 passenger Packard. The museum staff were super friendly and we enjoyed shopping in the gift shop before departing. I already can't wait to go back and catch the rest of the Port film!

Two of us came here on a warm Sunday morning to peruse the Baltimore Museum of Industry. This is a large brick structure that was a former oyster cannery off Key Highway just south of the inner harbor. Admission for two adults is $12 per person, well worth the price. We spent about two hours here walking around and learning about the industry of Baltimore. From Sparrows Point to Westinghouse to Bendix, to Grace, to Black & Decker-- this museum features information and exhibits that tell the story of these businesses in Bmore. There is large free parking here and some fun interactive options for kids. My only two criticisms of BMI: 1. The history here is really mostly about the last 100 years and does not go back much further into Baltimore's history. 2. The lighting is some of the exhibits needs some work. Some of the older exhibits need a graphic design redo. But it hurts me to say anything bad about a museum that feels like it is held together by love and spit. The objects that are preserved and displayed here have been lovingly saved just so that they may be shared with...us. That's kind of cool. After walking around the Baltimore Museum of Industry we walked over to the Cross Street Market for lunch-- what a great day!

Went to a wedding here and it was so cool! The view over the water is a beautiful backdrop for a ceremony and there is an outdoor pavilion next door that is great for receptions. If the weather is nice it's a perfect outdoor space but from what I understand the indoors is available too. The only downside is that the only restrooms are in the museum itself so if you're at a wedding reception and you have to go to the bathroom it is a bit of a hike. I wandered around the actual museum itself a bit before the ceremony and it seemed really interesting, informative, and interactive. I imagine this would be a good place to take kids as most would be fascinated by all the machinery. It definitely brings back to life a long-gone industrial era that defined Baltimore for quite a while. I'm definitely hoping to go back sometime and will update this review if/when that happens.

Great little museum - free entry for military which was wonderful. I especially loved the exhibit about the building itself. It is a small museum, I went through it in about an hour. There are not a great many things for kids to do, but as an adult, I greatly enjoyed it and it seemed like they do a lot of school programs. 8/10!

BMI is an absolutely beautiful wedding ceremony & reception venue with so much to offer. We could not stop hearing from our wedding guests about how cool and beautiful the venue was. There are endless possibilities for wedding photos and we can't wait to see a few of our exhibit photos. Having cocktail hour throughout the museum gave it an intimate but spacious feel. Kelley and her team were phenomenal and made us feel like family from the start of our contract way back in 2019. Kelley was a great asset to have to answer any of our questions concerning ceremony chairs, layout, COVID requirements, and cocktail/reception general questions or concerns. It was an absolute pleasure having her there on the day of and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

The Baltimore Museum of Industry explores Maryland's industrial legacy. The building was originally an oyster cannery from the 1860s and sits on a five acre waterfront campus. There are guided and self-guided tours. The museum offers various collections and exhibitions (indoor and outdoor). Some exhibits are hands-on and interactive. There's a cannery, corner store, a garment loft, print shop, and pharmacy to name a few of the exhibits. The Decker Gallery has floor to ceiling windows and a gorgeous view of the Inner Harbor. The museum also features temporary exhibitions (Why We Work, Video Game Wizards [creating your own video game], and Dressed For Work). There's also a gift gift shop with t-shirts (MD themed and BMI themed), books, toys, art, and more. I initially found out about this museum on Groupon while looking for local deals. Groupon had a deal for admission for two adults for $13. It would have been $21 ($12 for adult, $9 for senior 62+) so I saved $8 - not bad! I was able to use the Groupon with no problem. The museum has free on-site parking. We had no problem trying to find a parking space. We were greeted upon entry and given a map of museum. It's all one level and pretty much impossible to get lost. Any staff we encountered were very friendly. It took us about 35 minutes to get through the museum. We didn't stop to read every single plaque they had, but we read through most. I didn't realize how many "firsts" Baltimore had (canning of oysters, American umbrella factory, bottle cap company, commercial electric street car line, electronic railway locomotive in the world) the list goes on and on. The outdoor exhibits featured the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard Crane, Steam Tug Baltimore, the Hull of Gov. R.M. McLane, and the Knabe Piano Factory Cupola. The museum definitely gives you a thorough journey of MD's industrial legacy from way back when to current day

I'm from a really small town in Northern California called Ferndale, it's also known as the Victorian Village. So my review of the Baltimore Museum of Industry is based on the fact that largely 80% of the things held inside it, I'd seen a thousand times growing up. The general store in Ferndale has many of the general store items here on display - for free. The Ferndale museum, which holds a lot of the same machinery equipment - has a $1 admittance fee. I will say, that I hadn't seen up close a printing press, and the general block typing equipment on display before, which was fascinating, and the reason the museum got an extra star from me, though I would have loved to have seen a bag check or lockers at the front door. All in all, nice, but if you're from California - especially driving distance to the Redwoods - definitely not worth stopping in for.

This makes for a fun afternoon! We took out of town guests to the museum for an opportunity to learn more about the history of Baltimore. There are a variety of rooms and topics to explore and a rotating exhibit as well, so it seems there is always something new. There were several interactive options the day we were there where guests were encouraged to write responses to prompts that were great for adults and children alike. The staff was setting up for an evening event when we were there - I'm sure it was a lovely place for a rehearsal dinner. Also, there are several outdoor features to take in to learn more even on your walk out! Tip: Student rates are available for $7 with student ID, and we were able to find a groupon to make 2 adult tickets very affordable.

This review is from a little over a year ago, pre-Covid. The exhibits were OK, but the staff and the audio tour sucked. Evidently, They had changed the layout of the museum, so the audio tour no longer matched. So it would say "turn to your right and you will see..." and I would turn to my right to face a blank wall. I listened to the description of the next exhibit, then rushed around trying to find it. Sometimes I would ask at the front desk and was told "Oh, we no longer have that exhibit." So I was frantically search for things that no longer existed. So frustrating, and so inefficient. After spending the whole morning here and being half way though the audio tour, I gave up. Skimmed through the rest of the exhibits and headed towards the exit. As I turned the audio tour back in, I mentioned what a hard time I had. They said "ya, it's pretty much a useless audio tour now." Why didn't you tell me this when I got the audio gear, before I wasted the entire morning on the clusterf**k.

Lots to see and learn. I really liked how there was a volunteer there to show us how the Linotype worked and give a brief history of printing in relationship to the Baltimore Sun. The iPod tours were a little confusing at first but once you get going it's easier and there is a lot of detail to listen to. I would recommend giving yourself a couple hours to really go through the whole thing. It would have been nice to take home a magnet or some small souvenir like a postcard. I didn't see much like that in the gift shop. Great historical museum to check while in the area! **Pro Tip- check Groupon for buy one get one tickets! expires 11/30/18 **

I always start with the good! Not this time. There's so much good, let me get the bad out of the way. It's not big enough! There. Goods- This is one HECK of a place to throw an office party or large reception. Good parking, (although my Garmin had a hard time finding it- it's west by 150 yards), friendly staff, fascinating tour. do NOT try to see it without a tour guide. Period. We got a docent that had an amazingly professional gift for tour-leading, and she had all of us spellbound. Some of us were saying "Timmy!!!" under our breath, south park style, the rest of the day. I hope you get her. The printing press room (my name for it) is simply fascinating. The history of print is neat, but the guy showing us how it was done, and how it evolved, was excellent. If you're a corporate type, or a fiancee looking for a place to hold a large event, with round tables, give these folks a look-see. NO idea how it's catered- we were there for the tour. But, this place just OOZES color. I feel the hand of a professional "museum architect" in the displays. If only it were twice it's size! My car club came here, and we loved it. Bring your AAA card for a discount.

I'm glad that I finally checked out the Baltimore Museum of Industry after passing by it so many times. To see how industry has changed throughout the decades (especially here in Baltimore), was definitely a bright spot of visiting the museum. I also liked the cool antique artifacts because I got to see firsthand items that people in the past used on a daily basis. I got a laugh while reading some of the hilarious responses by other museum patrons; you get to write on a sticky note and leave it on a designated wall in the corner of the car area. Of course, there's questions to answer; when I went the questions essentially asked for people to share how long they'd been on their current job, and did they believe their job has job security. The answers were so brutally honest. I also enjoyed watching the men (sort of near the canning area) do actual metal working. That was such a great experience to see up close and personal. I even got to see finished products. They also have a small, open space gift shop area that had many items that, I'm sure, would appeal to many. Some of the items are, I assume, handmade, so they were pricey. The building was clean and set up so that you can experience the museum without feeling crowded in. I also noticed that there was a docent who gave tours (I decided to wander independently, though). Another thing, the view of the Harbor is great. I'm guessing this is why near closing time the museum was setting up for a later event. Others understand that this is an aesthetically pleasing venue that has a unique vibe and look. I learned a lot from each of the exhibits, but I wish there were a lot more hands on activities and things to touch; a lot of the items you couldn't touch to keep the original integrity of the pieces. The museum is also kind of small. For these reasons, I wouldn't recommend coming here more than once or twice a year, unless of course for some kind of special event.

I hate to use the cheesy phrase but, if you like to kick it old school then is place is certainly for you. As others have already elaborated on the BMI serves to cover the history of Baltimore's most prominent industries via the inside of the museum being set up into different areas such as a sewing factory, drug store, printing press, machine shop along with a few others. One word to the iPhone addicted-no attention span lunatics that seem to make up a larger than ever percentage of the population: stay home as this place is not for you. The BMI is very much about reading things, attention to detail and interactions with the staff/volunteers. A few key things to note via my personal experience: While they do offer guided tours there is no start times listed on their website nor did I notice anything at the museum. We got there not long after they opened at 10 and well told to head to the machine shop as a guided tour had just started and that the next one wouldn't be for a few hours. The tour was only the four of us along with one other person and it covered their sewing factory area along with their machine shop area. After that you're cut loose to see the rest of the place on your own. The guide "C" was very nice and she did run a few of the items but overall it would have been nicer for the tour to have shown/explained more parts of the building versus only two. Unless there is a special event they normally only have demonstrations of things like their blacksmith area or their 1936 Linotype in the printing area on Saturdays but we got lucky. 86 year old Ray who has been a volunteer there for over 25 years happened to come in on Sunday which according to him he never does because he wanted to "tinker around with the Linotype awhile". To say that he was awesome would be a huge understatement. Ray first started on a Linotype 72 years ago and he spent his whole career with the Baltimore Sun. If you ask him nicely he'll show you the picture he has of him at age 15 sitting at one. Ray is a great storyteller and it's worth the price of admission to see him explain the different printing machines and to pick his brain a bit about the entire process. www.c-span.org/video/?309403-1/history-printing-methods (The picture of Ray at the Linotype in 1944 is at the start of the video.) If you want a better explanation of the entire museum far better than I could ever give you should read Courtney K's review as it's the gold standard for explaining how neat this place really is. If you go: The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10-4 and is closed on Thanksgiving & Christmas. Prices are Adult $12, Senior $9, Student - $7, Youth - $7 and Child 6 & under- Free. But, if you pay those prices quite honestly you're either unlucky or an idiot as the BMI is more or less a nonstop year round presence on Living Social & Groupon. One awesome thing especially compared to a lot of this area of Baltimore is that the museum as a ton of free parking.

I wish I had more time to explore the exhibits, but I'll just have to visit again. Was able to get several photos that should help me with a school project. Once you enter the parking lot, you need to go to the far end of the lot for the museum... the other building there was labeled Administrative Offices. Friendly staff and plenty of neat things to see packed into what may have been an old warehouse (?). They offer student discounts (!) and occasional workshops for hands-on projects. Don't forget to leave a donation on your way out.

My husband and I visited the Baltimore Museum of Industry last Saturday. In the late 1970s, Mayor William Donald Schaefer proposed the creation of a museum to tell the story of Baltimore industry across two centuries of American history. The museum opened in November 1982. The BMI is such an eclectic museum. It is located in the Platt and Company oyster cannery. They have recreated a garment loft from 1900, a machine shop from 1900, a print shop, Dr. Bunting's Pharmacy (where Noxzema was invented), as well as exhibits on the food industry in Baltimore (McCormick & Co., Domino Sugar, Esskay Meats) and so much more. It also has the oldest surviving steam tugboat. Today, the museum offers permanent and temporary exhibits that detail and demonstrate the industrial history of Baltimore. Be sure to walk outside and enjoy the view of the Baltimore Harbor. This museum has something for everyone - young and old. We really enjoyed our visit!

Beautiful gem of a museum--lovely pics and will definitely bring out your inner art aficionado. My children enjoyed see Industrial Age artifacts and I got a kick out of watching them try to work a rotary phone (gasp.) The museum is a beautiful location for an event--in fact they were hosting a spirits event while we were there. We also took lots of pics outside. Although it was a relatively small museum, it was well worth the visit.

I came with a Groupon and wasn't expecting that much coming in but I was pleasantly surprised! I moved to Baltimore less than a year ago so I didn't know much about the history of the city. There were different sections to learn about different industries in Baltimore -- canning, print, clothing, paint, spices, and more. Make sure you bring your reading glasses cuz there is tons of information to read. One aspect I really liked about the museum were the blacksmiths who were there and actually forging something! I was mesmerized watching as one of them banged away on the anvil. When I asked he said he was making a candle holder (they had some for sale as well as other items in the store up front). A museum about Baltimore's different industries sounds boring, but there were surprisingly a lot of children here. They had some interactive parts for them such as puzzles and a film playing. Definitely worth a visit!

Who knew! I was surprised to stumble into this place. Stopped by to look out at the harbor and got pulled into the outdoor exhibits and ended up going in the whole museum. The history of Maryland is so fascinating and this place really captures it! Clean and fun museum that I hope to visit over and over. I really loved the "print shop" part and to visit when they have someone working in it on Saturday's!

What a classic and elegant place to have an event! The ambiance here is rustic yet elegant, with a lot of high ceilings and open space. The combination of plentiful indoor and outdoor space really made this ideal for an event. I came here for a charity event in 2013 and absolutely was amazing at how this space is used. Amazing views of the water!

I was trying to convince my friends that all the great museums aren't always down in DC. This museum really proved my point that Charm City needs some recognition in that department! I knew of this place and when I saw a Groupon for it I had to check it out. The museum is right on the harbor and gives great views of the City from across the water and the Domino Sugar factory. The views and pastoral artifacts has made this a high demand wedding venue. Unfortunately I didn't realize the place closes up at 4pm and missed the last tour so I had to poke around on my own. This museum taught me a lot about not only industry but also Baltimore. The museum staffs experienced and knowledgeable craftsmen to do blacksmith and printing demos. The museum was great and very educational however the kid in me wished there were more things I could touch, more interactive exhibits.

It was a cold and snowy day when we (Michelle P, Jeff W and I) visited the Baltimore Museum of Industry. There was a bit of confusion when locating the entrance to the parking lot as we drove right by it the first time but did eventually find it. Look for a sign on the gate. Upon entering, a woman from the main office greeted us with her loud voice so we knew to come inside to pay. For some reason, she did not feel it was necessary to explain anything to us, she simply told us to enjoy. While we waited for Jeff to finish his business in the restroom, when others came in, she was eager to give them copies of the layout and tell them that the print press guy was here doing demonstrations. Uhh...were we less important to know these things? Oh well. (Insert eye roll here.) Despite the front office woman, I have to say, I really liked the BMI. (Yeah...did you think body mass index when you saw that? I did too...the entire time we were here until I reminded myself...Baltimore Museum of Industry!) It was really great to see all of the history and how Baltimore was shaped by the different industries here. McCormack spices, canning, automobiles, print press, seamstresses and paint were some of the exhibits. The printing press room was by far the coolest thing we had seen all day. It was awesome having the print press guy in there to explain how the machine works and then show us. I had never really thought about how lengthy the process to print a newspaper was before computers and virtual news took over. I also really enjoyed the one very large room in the museum where the giant glass windows were and there is this gorgeous view of the harbor, Domino Sugar and some tugboats. It was perfect for watching the snow fall and taking photos. The route you're supposed to take touring through the museum is a bit confusing as we kept backtracking because we thought we had missed something. We never really did figure it out but if you're there with the right people, it will be fun trying.

The food truck gathering is dope and the crowd is great but don't come on an empty stomach. You have to stand in line for hours to eat!

Some museums bore me. Some I breeze through, enjoying the exhibits, but not enough to really analyze them. I spent a good amount of time here. I have this weird obsession with old manufacturing/industrial stuff. This includes old warehouse buildings, decrepit anything, water thingies at the top of buildings, etc. This museum did not disappoint! So many fun things to see and touch (ok maybe I touched more than i should - i couldn't contain my curiosity - i'm like a 4 year old). The tour guide was hilarious and did such a good job of adding depth and character to all the rooms and machinery he brought us to. Mixed in some good yiddish/jewish flavor! Apparently he'd totally (or maybe he did) give up being kosher for some South Carolina, BBQ. Right on, dude. That bbq is good. I loved the machine room with all these different manufacturing machines, and the printing room with all the old news printers. And the textile room. Guys, old non electric irons. They were heavy. I mean, duh, but whoa. Also, gas fired irons. Gas FIRED irons. What. It's just a really cool museum, if you like that sort of thing. And, pretty views of the harbor!

We discovered this place because of a promotion on Certifikid or Groupon. For $19, our family if 4 spent an entire Friday afternoon enjoying all of the exhibits mostly uninterrupted by other visitors. I was mostly surprised as most of the pictures online do not do this place justice. My girls (7 and 9) found all the exhibits exciting and educational. This is a lovely museum with a beautiful view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. We will definitely recommend this experience to our family and friends. Bonus: FREE PARKING!

It's a museum, but they also hold events. My cousin just had her wedding here. The museum itself is pretty interesting and a great walk through history. They have a couple of old style vehicles and also have a replica pharmacy store that you can go into. The museum closes at 4pm on Saturdays so when I got there for the wedding, some of the rooms were locked, but we were able to walk around some areas. The wedding venue section itself is a decent size. It's in the main hall. I think it fit about 23 tables (10 people/table). There is plenty of parking here. Outside the museum is a beautiful view of the Baltimore Harbor, especially at night.

When I heard that my cousin was having his wedding at a museum of industry, I was pretty incredulous. Who wants to get married with a bunch of machines all over the place? But this place totally delivered! The wedding ceremony was outdoors, in a covered patio area with a view of Baltimore harbor. Not exactly tranquil, pristine nature(!), but a great vantage point of a working port. And when the breeze picked up during the wedding, you could hear all the chimes and rigging on the sailboats in the nearby marina, making a really beautiful background sound that I'm sure they didn't plan on. Very cool. The museum also works fantastically as an event space. Dinner was served in a big hall with stuff hanging form the ceilings and on the walls, you can walk around and read them or just enjoy taking in the atmosphere. It's a bit noisy when filled up with people, but that makes it fun. There was plenty of room for the band to set up along the windows, which look straight out on the harbor, and we had a nice sized dance floor. Before the wedding party finished with their pictures, we had time to get a drink and some appetizers and then peruse the museum... I loved that they have a whole workshop filled with antique machines that are still operational, and the docent was able to switch them all on and explain a couple of them to us. I liked the old delivery wagons and early trucks on display. They also have an imitation deli and some great exhibits for the kids to play in. It made for a really fun place for all ages - the adults were having a great time wandering around checking everything out, while the kids were playing the world's greatest game of hide and seek. All kinds of places to hide out. From a guest's point of view, I would definitely recommend this place as an event space if you're looking for someplace fun and a little off-beat. And if you're curious about Baltimore's history as an industrial city, the museum is well worth a visit.

One of the things that DH and I enjoy is visiting museums that celebrate the unique history of a place. This one spotlights the industries that drove the growth of Baltimore with an emphasis on the canning business. The museum itself is housed in an former cannery and the space has been re-purposed into individual exhibits focusing on different businesses. It looks like they must have interactive exhibits for the small fry. We saw plenty of hands-on areas and kid-sized safety glasses. We arrived about an hour before closing on a Thursday so no one was manning any of the stations. DH and I like to take our time, so an hour was just a bit short for us. There was so much to read about and we ended up rushing through some of it. Overall, this place is exactly what I love about local history.

This is the best museum to learn about Baltimore history... and how things are made. Great for kids. Give yourself about two hours .... there's a lot to learn!

Undergoing refurbishment, but still a great place to learn some of Baltimore's history. I would have liked to learn a bit more of the current situation of industry in Baltimore to put some of the history into context. It was news that Baltimore had such an active car building industry that ceased, and also such a rich history in shipping and fisheries, but I couldn't get a sense of where things are now and in the future. Friendly welcome and interesting guided tour. I visited on a Sunday morning and place was deserted.

This time I went with about 90 second graders. They were a bit inattentive. We broke up into groups. The last thing our group did was work on an assembly line constructing a paper Model T. They loved that! Each student got to take one home. Way to go, teamwork!

What a family friendly fun day adventure. So many activities to do. Touch everything run wild. It's that kind of museum. Free parking on the water great views.

Very cool spot. We actually attended a wedding here last weekend but we had access to the whole museum (I believe) and it was very neat. Interesting exhibits and also makes for a wonderful venue.

Very detailed and well designed exhibits. The local touch leaves you with a clear impression of all that was manufactured in the area surrounding the museum through the years. As residents we had little idea how diverse the economy of the city was during its industrial years. The video game wizard exhibit was an absolute treat for our 8 year old boy. He spent more than an hour learning about game production by developing his own game using interactive touch screen exhibits. The only negative experience was the audio tour. Too hard to use and too much detail. Should really be a mobile app that can guide you through the exhibits and then let you look up detail if interested. Perhaps the Wizards who created the excellent game exhibit could lend a hand there? All in all a great experience for the whole family.

Went to a wedding here and the reception was also at BMI. I have always thought that this was one of the cooler venues in Baltimore, I also feel like it is a good hidden secret down Key Highway next to Little Havana. Having a bar literally next door is super convenient for having a drink or 7 before and after the wedding. The museum is set up nicely to accommodate a good size reception and there is plenty of room for a cocktail hour along with a separate area for a sit down dinner with a large dance floor. We had a blast and the staff was a lot of fun. They also pretty much let you have the run of the place so you can really explore the museum and all it has to offer.

I love this museum. It's not very interactive, and there's a lot of reading, but it's nostalgic to a degree and fascinating. If you want to see how America ran when industry played a major supporting role, then come here. Also, it has THE most amazing nighttime view of the inner harbor. Absolutely gorgeous! I'd highly suggest this as a wedding venue too. It's perfect for it.

Love love LOVE BMI! Awesome celebration of Baltimore history. There are oh-so-many reasons to love BMI, incluuuuuuuuuuuding: 1) GOOD TIMES - this is the kind of museum where you're "walking through history" - they have great exhibits set up in old-towny "streets" and "window shops" and there's really something for everyone: historic cars, play rooms, movie screening room, history of oyster canning (more interesting than it sounds, lol), and history of PAINT (again, MUCH more interesting than it sounds...) 2) CONVENIENCE - you get to be on the Harbor with a spectacular view of the skyline + water without the hassle -- they have a free parking lot and it's a gorgeous place to walk around. Also, the Banner Route Circulator goes TO THE FRONT DOOR. 3) SATURDAY FARMER'S MARKET - we got milk from Kilby's Farms (O.M.G.!!) and enjoyed just cruising around their pretty pavilion. 4) RAY in the Print Shop - he will let you sit at the historic Linotype and shows you the ins and outs of printing from the 1600s and beyond....he's only there on Saturdays, and IMO, really makes the visit special. BOTTOM LINE: LOVELY, LOCAL, LOVE IT!

I went here last night for a trade-ally event, very impressed. I would have given five stars, but I showed up late and wasn't able to walk through all of the museum/exhibits. I will be back for sure in the near future.

Another dreary day, another excellent museum in Baltimore. We had been hearing about the museum of industry for a long time but had yet to come here. Good thing we finally made it. The museum of industry, in the way that good museums do, both informs and feeds the nostalgic soul, showing a world that is, today, sadly lost to many in the western world: industry, the laborious kind. In a one-floor exhibit covering a converted factory hall, this museum shows a variety of industries and old-fashioned items showcasing the many industries that passed through Baltimore over its long history, including canning, car manufacture, ship building, printing (fascinating old newspapers to read, my favorite), beer, and of course machining. Each section features a variety of artifacts that you can touch, donated pieces of machinery, and, in some areas, demonstrations of how things were done in the days before everything "made" was made so far away that one could never trace the origins without a map and a big budget. Overall a fascinating way to spend an afternoon and an excellent way to learn about Baltimore's long history.