Help Baltimore Tell Its Stories — Make Your Year-End Gift Today
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Help Baltimore Tell Its Stories — Make Your Year-End Gift Today
Donate

Help Baltimore Tell Its Stories: Make Your Year-End Gift Today

Donate
Life in Baltimore
Call for Artists
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Peale Fine Art Framing
Now Open
Gas Lighting at The Peale
The birth of Light City in 1817
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The Peale Illumination Project
Illuminating Baltimore Through Art, Storytelling, and Innovation.
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What's On?

Exhibits

a deep and vibrant colored painting of a man laying face down on a whale with a woman in a white shirt draped overtop of him. The painting is titled "Jo, Jonah Floating on Jonah's Whale" by Jessica Damen.

Off The Page

Jessica Damen

A multimedia exploration of painting, poetry, storytelling, and music.

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We Know Who They Are... title horizontally places to the right of a brightly blue and magenta colored landscape featuring two men seated on a bench facing away from the viewer.

We Know Who They Are…

Conflicted Art

Artworks and narratives from the Invasion of Ukraine.

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Siren Song Festival
Sep
19

Siren Song Festival

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History Exhibits

See them this weekend!

On Now

What's On?

Book your tickets now!

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News

Who We Are

The Peale is Baltimore’s Community Museum, housed in the oldest museum building in the United States.

More than two hundred years after the museum was established in 1814, The Peale is once again going strong. We’re building an inclusive archive of Baltimore stories and offering a showcase for the city’s storytellers that honors their importance and historical value. 

The Peale’s mission is to provide local creators and storytellers with the space and support they need to realize a complete and accessible cultural legacy for the city of Baltimore.

The Curiosity Shop

Looking for something unique and fabulous? Stop by The Peale’s Curiosity Shop during regular hours Thursday to Sunday and check out our selection of cool consignment artwork and crafts, made by local Baltimore artists!

Plus, you’ll find a host of PEALE merchandise, like Peale T-shirts, mugs, water bottles, pens/pencils, and tote bags. 

Shop local this summer!

Record Your Story

We believe your voice is important to creating a representative and authentic impression of life in Baltimore. We welcome your stories. You just might find your story posted here and on SoundCloud! We update and add stories regularly. Not from Baltimore, no worries. We still love hearing from people!

Record your story!
People sit in a circle in chairs in a museum gallery and talk. A person stands on the right and does American Sign Language.

Listen to Stories

Over the last few years, the Peale has gathered hundred and hundreds of stories from people just like you. These story collections cover topics like the impact of COVID-19 on local communities, how art and culture have shaped people’s lives, first-time voting experiences, and more. Listen to Stories on SoundCloud or on the Peale’s Story map.

Explore Stories.
Screenshot of a map of the United States, showing pink and red pins.

Peale News!

Find out what we’re up to behind the scenes. Learn about the latest grant news, historic research, and community programs! Contact us if you’d like to author an article to include in our news section.

Peale Community News
Saw a fine concert in this little 209 year old building. The building, the staff and the music by the Poulenc Trio (piano, bassoon, oboe) all sublime. Even in the heart of downtown, easy parking! We'll be back!
William N.Google Review
"Go, go, go. The past and the future of Baltimore art."
A close-up detail on an old map that shows the Peale and Male and Female Colored School No. 1.
David Wright GrayGoogle Review
My children and I love this local gem 💎 of a museum. The exhibits are different and sponsored by local talents. I attended comic book workshops, migrant exhibits, LBTQIA events and look forward to visiting much more. There's a parking lot a few steps away and a very small few spots near the actual museum.
Jacqui EarleGoogle Review
"The Peale has their finger on the pulse of Baltimore culture with great events and meaningful exhibits. While also working hard to preserve memories and keep the past alive. I am thrilled to be able to enjoy this venue for so many different experiences."
The facade of a virtual building that looks like the Peale.
Andrea ClayvilleGoogle Review
A hidden gem. Why does no one know of this place ? Very easy parking on weekends.
R. CampanyGoogle Review
"There's so much going on other than just being a gallery in a museum. Definitely a place you should check out."
A historic garden with stone relief sculptures of reclining figures on a wall.
dddanimationGoogle Review
"Such a gorgeous space to learn about some of the history of this city. Not only is it a museum, but a safe space to perform, act, display the local arts of the city too!"
Emzi LoveGoogle Review
"This community museum is definitely worth a visit!"
Nicholas MilesGoogle Review
I enjoyed the Peale Museum. The 1st floor exhibits on the history of the museum and the Peale family were very interesting. I also enjoyed the garden and the community exhibits concerning the Guardians and the Chicory magazine.
RaymondGoogle Review
A gem in the heart of the city. Take an hour or two to tour the entire museum. It's a cool date idea for the low , low cost of ... free. BUT DONATIONS MATTER so drop some bills in the box. They don't mind the kind of money that jingle but the need the kind that fold 🙂
Tiffany S.'Google Review
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