Monitoring Progress: A closer look
The B&O Railroad Museum, nestled in the historic Mount Clare Station and Roundhouse building in Baltimore, is a veritable treasure trove of rail history dating back to the 1820s. Established in 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the first common carrier railway in the United States, revolutionising commercial travel and shaping the nation's identity.
The museum's collection, spanning approximately 7,200 linear feet, includes a vast array of items, from locomotives to small objects, archives, and a library with over 5,000 titles. Notably, the collection does not seem to include any items from the 21st century, the late 20th century, or beyond, focusing primarily on the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Anna Kresmer, the museum's archivist, explains that the collection provides a broader context for societal changes during these centuries. Among the items on display are original journals of surveyors determining the path of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and stereo slides from the 1927 Fair of the Iron Horse, B&O's two-week-long centennial celebration.
One of the most intriguing items in the collection is a mechanical pencil gifted by President Abraham Lincoln to John Work Garrett, then-B&O President. While Lincoln's direct role during the construction and operation of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the 19th century is not prominently documented, his connection with the railroad is evident. His 1861 inaugural train travel included stops associated with the B&O Railroad, and a private railroad car was built for him by the Army, which was later used in his funeral train.
Kresmer, who fulfills reference requests from various disciplines, including rail history buffs, authors, and screenwriters, compares the impact of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to the internet, stating it was a "seismic culture shift." She believes that the railroad changed the concept and understanding of distance and what constituted a country, taking the nation from small town or small colony identification into a nation.
The B&O Railroad Museum supports exhibit development and contributes to establishing a shared American identity through the materials in its collection. Baltimore, referred to as the "birthplace of American railroading," continues to celebrate its rich rail history, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the profound impact the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had on the nation's development.
