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The Maryland Academy of Sciences is Maryland's oldest scientific institution
and one of the oldest such institutions in the entire nation.
At its inception in 1797, the Academy was an amateur scientific society—members
met to discuss papers on astronomy, botany, zoology, and other subjects
then known as the "natural sciences." Rembrandt and Raphael
Peale, sons of painter and scientist Charles Wilson Peale, were among
the distinguished early members.
During the early years, the organization was quite informal. Meetings
were held in the small museum operated on South Charles Street. In 1826,
the organization incorporated under the name of "The Maryland Academy
of Science and Literature". The next 40 years were troubled times
with irregular meetings. A tragic fire destroyed much of the library,
collections, and records from that period.
In 1897, the organization was re-incorporated under its present title,
"The Maryland Academy of Sciences", and new quarters were opened
on Mulberry Street a few years later. Members of the Academy during this
period represented some of the most distinguished families of Baltimore:
Gilmor, Howard, Hayden, Maulsby, Ellicott, Poultney, Pattison, Fisher,
Donaldson. Tyson, and Pennington. In notes taken from old records are
the names of Charles Carroll of Carrollton ("Our honored member and
advisor") and J.H.B. Latrobe, son of the famous architect.
The early years of the 20th century saw an unprecedented expansion in
scientific and technical knowledge; the Academy responded to this by adopting
the role of interpreter of science and technology to the public. Credit
for this new direction goes to Herbert A. Wagner, long-time president
of the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company and Chairman of the Board
of Trustees and President of the Academy. Under Wagner's leadership, less
emphasis was placed on static collections; instead, working exhibits were
designed to illustrate fundamental scientific principles or industrial
processes. An observatory and a weekly lecture series were added, and
membership substantially expanded. The Academy moved first to Franklin
Street and later to North Charles Street.
Near the end of World War II, the Academy relocated to the third floor
of the Enoch Pratt Library; but space limitations were severe and a new
home was definitely needed. The long-time dream of the Board of Trustees
and staff was realized with the opening of the MSC on Baltimore's Inner
Harbor. Interactive exhibits combined with the state-of-the-art Davis
Planetarium opened to the public in June 1976. The addition of a new atrium
lobby in 1986, and the very successful IMAX Theater in 1987, stimulated
annual attendance.
A major expansion and renovation of the entire facility was completed
in May of 2004. New exhibitions were added on all levels as well as the
addition of a permanent hall showcasing dinosaurs and earth sciences,
and a dedicated gallery for housing temporary exhibitions. Upgrades to
the IMAX Theater introduced 3D film technology and improvements to the
physical plant updated and enhanced visitor amenities and services. Today,
as it has been in the past, the Maryland Science Center continues to focus
on remaining a vital community resource and economic development engine
now and in the future.
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Maryland Academy of
Sciences-Franklin Street, Baltimore City 1920's
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