Social Studies Field Trips

Baltimore Museum of Industry

Photograph courtesy of Dr. Dawn F. Thomas

---

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

NAME: Baltimore Museum of Industry
STREET: 1415 Key Highway
CITY: Baltimore	STATE: MD	ZIP: 21230	COUNTY: Baltimore City
PHONE: 410-727-4808		FEES: Adults, $3.50. Students, seniors, $2.50. Teachers always free. Family rate, $12.00
HOURS AND DAYS: Memorial Day - Labor Day, Thursday and Sunday 12 noon - 5 pm. Saturday, 10 am -5 pm. Wednesday, 6 pm - 9 pm. Labor Day - Memorial Day; Thursday and Sunday 12 noon - 5 pm. Saturday, 10 am- 5, pm. Wednesday, 7 pm - 9 pm.

GRADES: 4	UNITS: MD History
CONTACT: Margaret Zessin	PHONE: 410-727-4808, ext. 117
TYPE: Museum	FEES: $2.50 per student for basic tour, tug tour and assembly line; $4.50 Oyster Cannery simulation. One adult free for every 10 students; additional adults $4.00
DAYS: M T W Th F	HOURS: 9 am - 5 pm
LUNCH: At waterfront in good weather or in Radio Gallery (with reservation only).
GROUP SIZE: 20-80 depending on activity
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Yes
LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 hour each (tour or tug) 1 1/2 hours for cannery, needs 10-35 students; 1 1/2 hours for assembly line, needs 10-54 students

DESCRIPTION:This is a hands-on museum in restored turn of the century oyster cannery. The building is divided into rooms showing the industries of Baltimore over the last 100 years; shipping, printing, garment loft, belt-driven machine shop, cannery. Students will enjoy the many hands-on activities including a chance to print a sample handbill on an 1880s printing press or operate an early Singer sewing machine in the garment factory exhibit. The impact of the harbor and railroad on the movement of goods and services is stressed. To complement the tour, two simulations are available for an additional fee.

• The "Assembly Line" gives each student a specific "job" and teaches them about labor specialization and the genius of mass production. Each student receives a finished produce.

• The "Oyster Canning" simulation permits students to assume the roles of actual cannery workers at the turn of the century. Some students will be shucking oysters, others will be printing labels and working in various stages of the canning operation. Each student is paid in company script and visits the "company store" at the end of the simulation.

Schedule your visit as far ahead as possible. Morning bookings are very popular and fill very quickly.

The Maryland Milestones Wall, which small supervised groups of students may visit at the discretion of the director, depending on crowd sizes, traces companies whose cutting edge companies who's cutting edge technology was the first of its kind in the nation, led the way for industrial, labor, and social advancements, and began their legacies in Baltimore. The first four Maryland Milestones are:

• The First Gaslight in America, sponsored by the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, showcases the development of gas lighting for commercial and residential use.
• America's Oldest Silversmith highlights the history of the Kirk-Stieff Company, the oldest continually operating silver company in America.
• The First Silica-Gel Petroleum Cracking Catalyst traces the history and contribution of Grace-Davidson, the first manufacturer of silica-gel in commercial quantities.
• The World's First Electric Power Hand Tools, sponsored by the Black & Decker Corporation.

RESOURCES

• Previsit flyer and maritime packet.
• MCPS Activity Plan For This Field Trip Site
• Electronic School Bus Videotape for this field trip site.
• Letter to parents

  Field Trip Planning Tools

  • MCPS Field Trip Checklist
  • Items to Bring on the Trip
  • Field Trip Tips
  • Tips for Primary Grades

  Internet Sites

  • Baltimore Museum of Industry website