Maryland Historical Society

The Maryland Historical Society will use funds to support the conservation of its unique and severely deteriorated daguerreotype collection of more than 300 photographs. The collection represents Baltimore's major innovation in the early American photography industry as well unique scenes in the burgeoning city of the 19th century. Exceptionally rare examples include African American portraits and unique landscape views of Baltimore. The conserved collection will be promoted on a new website, publications, and other mediums that will make this collection and the under-appreciated role of Baltimore in the early American photography industry more prominent and accessible than ever before. The project will be matched with $124,142 in non-federal share.