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Baltimore Stories

The Peale is Baltimore’s Community Museum.

Story Archive

The Peale stewards a growing digital archive of Baltimore stories, amplifying community voices about everything from Baltimore neighborhoods and landmarks to social and environmental justice, education, local food, and much more! Listen to thousands of stories from people around Baltimore and Maryland on the Peale’s Story Map or on our SoundCloud channel! Don’t forget to record YOUR story!

Researchers can contact the Peale for details about additional collections, rights, metadata, and more. We’d also be happy to supply transcriptions upon request. If you’re recording a story, please take a few moments to read our Stories Terms of Use.

A man with short cropped black hair and glasses wears a blue shirt and sits in a room with blue walls.

Lexington Market Stories

Part of the Lexington Market Public History Initiative in an effort to collect stories and memories about the world-famous Lexington Market.

Audrey Carter has braids in her hair and wears a herring bone pattern, black and white blazer.

The Guardians: Reshaping History

A photo, documentary, and storytelling project that celebrates Black female leaders across Baltimore City neighborhoods. 

A boy with black hair and a purple sweatshirt wears a blue face mask in a car.

Vax Vox: COVID-19 Stories

Stories from people about their experiences with COVID and getting the vaccine. Part of national vaccination effort.

A woman in a colorful pink dress and matching head wrap sits on a stage and tells stories.

Mama Linda's Chapbook

The Peale’s Storyteller-in-Residence Mama Linda Goss shares stories, poetry, songs, and insights about life in the modern world.

A person with a hat bends down and paints art on a concrete road surface.

The Arts in Baltimore

Hear residents of the city talk about murals and art around Baltimore. Hear from area artists too about their latest works.

Baltimore History & Architecture

Listen to stories and interviews about Baltimore and Maryland history and architecture with local and regional experts.

A man with round eyeglasses and gray hair and beard smiles as he stands in front of a mottled gray wall.

Town Creek: Maryland Environmentalists

Stories documenting 40 years of environmental expertise to inspire a sustainable future in Maryland.

A woman with straight black hair and large hoop earrings sits in front of a computer monitor.

Maryland Voices: Democracy in America

The Smithsonian exhibition “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” inspired this story collection.

A person with a blue facemask and a yellow beanie winter cap stands on the sidewalk giving out election materials.

Stories about Life in Baltimore

The original “Baltimore Stories” collection is an authentic way to discover the people and places of the city. Includes “Stoop Shoots by Daisy Brown” and stories about working in Baltimore.

A woman with large hoop earrings and straight black hair smiles in a selfie.

Chicory Revitalization Project

Students in an Urban History class interpret poems from the historic Chicory Magazine, which captured the frustration of Black Baltimore from 1966-1983.

A community sign in a historic neighborhood that reads, Welcome to Sharp-Leadenhall Historical Community.

Baltimore Places

Begun as a project called “Be Here: Baltimore,” these stories explore little-known places and neighborhoods in the city, as told by people who live in “Charm City.” Includes walking tours of the city too!

A historic silhouette of a man's face on thick white paper.

Peale Faces Project

Baltimore residents share stories as they sat for historic-style silhouette portraits with Baltimore artist Lauren Muney. Portraits are on display at the Peale.

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