The mission of the Maryland Science Center is to stimulate and cultivate awareness, interest, and understanding of science for all residents of and visitors to Maryland through excellent and exciting educational programs and exhibits, and to be a regional resource and a national model for science education.

History:
The Maryland Academy of Sciences is Maryland's oldest scientific institution and one of the oldest such institutions in the entire nation.

At its inception in 1797, the Academy was an amateur scientific society--members met to discuss papers on astronomy, botany, zoology, and other subjects then known as the "natural sciences." Rembrandt and Raphael Peale, sons of painter and scientist Charles Wilson Peale, were among the distinguished early members.

During the early years, the organization was quite informal. Meetings were held in the small museum operated on South Charles Street. In 1826, the organization incorporated under the name of "The Maryland Academy of Science and Literature". The next 40 years were troubled times with irregular meetings. A tragic fire destroyed much of the library, collections, and records from that period.

In 1897, the organization was re-incorporated under its present title, "The Maryland Academy of Sciences", and new quarters were opened on Mulberry Street a few years later. Members of the Academy during this period represented some of the most distinguished families of Baltimore: Gilmor, Howard, Hayden, Maulsby, Ellicott, Poultney, Pattison, Fisher, Donaldson. Tyson, and Pennington. In notes taken from old records are the names of Charles Carroll of Carrollton ("Our honored member and advisor") and J.H.B. Latrobe, son of the famous architect.

The early years of the 20th century saw an unprecedented expansion in scientific and technical knowledge; the Academy responded to this by adopting the role of interpreter of science and technology to the public. Credit for this new direction goes to Herbert A. Wagner, long-time president of the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company and Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the Academy. Under Wagner's leadership, less emphasis was placed on static collections; instead, working exhibits were designed to illustrate fundamental scientific principles or industrial processes. An observatory and a weekly lecture series were added, and membership substantially expanded. The Academy moved first to Franklin Street and later to North Charles Street.

Near the end of World War II, the Academy relocated to the third floor of the Enoch Pratt Library; but space limitations were severe and a new home was definitely needed. The long-time dream of the Board of Trustees and staff was realized with the opening of the MSC on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Interactive exhibits combined with the state-of-the-art Davis Planetarium opened to the public in June 1976. The addition of a new atrium lobby in 1986, and the very successful IMAX Theater in 1987, stimulated annual attendance.

A major expansion and renovation of the entire facility was completed in May of 2004. New exhibitions were added on all levels as well as the addition of a permanent hall showcasing dinosaurs and earth sciences, and a dedicated gallery for housing temporary exhibitions. Upgrades to the IMAX Theater introduced 3D film technology and improvements to the physical plant updated and enhanced visitor amenities and services. Today, as it has been in the past, the Maryland Science Center continues to focus on remaining a vital community resource and economic development engine now and in the future.

Contact people:

Julie Burke, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Ann Myers, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

601 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21230 (See a map)

Directions:

Driving Directions 601 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21230 From the NORTH: I-95 South to Baltimore. Once you pass through the Fort McHenry Toll Facility, go through the far right tube of the tunnel, and stay in right lane. Once you emerge from the tunnel, the Key Highway exit (#55) is immediately on the right. Take the exit and move to the right lane. Make a right at the traffic light onto Key Highway. Follow Key Highway to the Maryland Science Center, which will be on your right. OR I-83 South into Baltimore until the expressway ends. Turn right onto Lombard Street and follow it to Light Street. Turn left onto Light Street. Stay to the left and follow Light Street to the traffic light at Key Highway. Bear left onto Key Highway (it's not a straight-across intersection). The Maryland Science Center will be immediately on your left. From the SOUTH: I-95 North to Baltimore. Follow the sign to Downtown Baltimore. Take the exit to I-395. Follow the signs to the Inner Harbor downtown area. Turn right onto Conway Street. Follow Conway Street to Light Street. Turn right onto Light Street, move to the furthest left lane, and follow to the traffic light at Key Highway. Bear left onto Key Highway (it's not a straight-across intersection). The Maryland Science Center will be immediately on your left. OR I-295, the Baltimore-Washingon Parkway, North to Baltimore. In Baltimore this route becomes Russell Street. Russell Street past stadiums on your right. Turn right onto Pratt Street after you pass Camden Yards. Turn right onto Light Street. Move to the furthest left lane and bear to the left at traffic light at Key Highway (it's not a straight-across intersection). The Maryland Science Center will be immediately on your left.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Charles Center,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10

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