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Maryland Science Center (Visit this link)
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.
http://www.mdsci.org