The 4th annual Doors Open Baltimore was a great free event that exceeded my expectations. The grace and shapes of the historic buildings were emphasized by enthusiastic and knowledgable hosts at each location.
I have attended Doors Open Pittsburgh (see my review) but you know what you will get with the names like Mellon, Carnegie or Frick. Baltimore showed more of the soul with their awesome hosts and not so big crowds.
I started with Davidge Hall, built in 1812 and the longest medical education facility in America in continuous use (Chemical Hall) and oldest surviving anatomical theater in America.
Anatomical theater was great building for the Halloween time considering that its facilities were (back in days) highly successful in steady supply of snatched newly-buried bodies from their graves by the black market specialists. Actually, "the medical school found itself with an embarrassment of riches in the number of corpses it had on hand and began shipping the excess inventory to other schools on the East Coast in barrels filled with whiskey"
Chemical Hall is less grim but no less interesting since most of the original fabric (like the stoves or kiln for the experiments) remained in place for over 200 years!
The Lithuanian Hall had the hosts that wanted to adopt you. The Lithuanian liqueur was there offered for welcome, and one learned so much from their staff and museum. Although, I was there before (see my Lithuanian Hall Assn review) I learned so much more this time and I have to take step 3 (attend their festival next year) to be considered a bit of the Lithuanian of the World.
Peabody library (see my review) was a gift that always continues with giving. No flying books this time either (I always wait for a Harry Potter moment in it) but wow was there again. This time, I got lucky to catch a rehearsal in Peabody Conservatorium Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall (also from mid 19th century) and that experience enhanced the senses.
At the end, I end up in Garret Jacobs Mansion, not an official Doors Open Baltimore sit,e but somehow this private club was open. It was a cherry at the top and the Doors Open Baltimore should seriously consider having that location officially open. The other locations worthy pursuing are the historic theaters - not offered this year. I would also recommend next year visits to: William Donald Schaefer Building, Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower and World trade Center offices - above the observatories 25th floor, Bank of America executive offices.
At the end, doors open is a huge undertaking and Baltimore folks have done a great job ensure that I come back next year and check out some other locations. read more