From a preserved plantation in Towson, to a fading Walk of Fame memorial on a sidewalk in Station North, these five heritage sites are hidden reminders of the remarkable contributions made by African Americans in Baltimore.
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Hampton National Historic Site
The Hampton National Historic Site is a preserved plantation hidden just off Dulaney Valley Road in the Hampton area of Towson, Md. The Georgian mansion was built for the prominent Ridgely family between 1783 and 1790. It's now open to the public to relive the experiences of a wealthy family, and to serve as a reminder of the injustice of slavery that existed on the Hampton property for more than 100 years.
Billie Holiday Statue
The legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia and spent her youth in Baltimore, Md. A statue of "Lady Day" stands at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Lafayette Avenue, right across from the Royal Theatre, where she frequently serenaded Baltimore audiences.
Negro Heroes of the U.S. Monument
The Negro Heroes of the U.S. Monument located at City Hall on North Holliday Street. The memorial honors the heroic black soldiers who died while fighting for the United States.
North Avenue Walk of Fame
If you blink, you'll miss it. The likes of Sammy Davis, Jr., Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday and Dorothy Dandridge are commemorated on a fading North Avenue sidewalk between St. Paul Street and Charles Street in Station North. The memorial, titled "Heritage Lifetime Achievements," marks the birth and death of iconic black entertainers, allowing passersby to walk among greatness.
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park
This Frederick Douglass memorial is located at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park at South Caroline Street and Philpot Street in Fells Point. The national heritage site documents African American maritime history, as well as Douglass' life and contributions in Baltimore.
