Source: By Mike Klingaman, The Baltimore Sun

Governor Oden Bowie of Maryland, a horsemen and racing entrepreneur, was among the distinguished roster of guests at an elegant dinner party after the races at the Union Hall Hotel in Saratoga given by Milton H. Sanford, who had gained much of his wealth selling blankets during the Civil War. John Hunter of New York proposed that the feast be commemorated by a stake race to be run in the fall of 1870 for three-year old colts and fillies at two miles, to be known as the Dinner Party Stakes in honor of the evening. Bowie electrified the gathering by suggesting a purse of $15,000, a staggering sum in those days.

Governor Bowie requested that the Dinner Party Stakes be run in Maryland, and pledged to build a new racetrack to host it. Hence, the idea for Pimlico Race Course was born, and in the fall of 1870, the inaugural Dinner Party Stakes was run on Pimlico’s opening. Won by Sanford’s Preakness, one of only two male entrants in the seven horse field, the massive bay colt was a first time starter. His jockey, Billy Hayward, followed a unique tradition of the day after the race: a wire was stretched across the track from the judges’ stand with a small silk bag filled with gold pieces. When the race was over, the winning jockey untied the string holding the bag and claimed the money. It is believed this custom brought about the modern day “wire” at the finish line, and the designation of “purse” money. [...]

WELCOME TO BALTIMORE, HON!

Painted screens, marble steps, steamed crabs, the Star Spangled Banner – “Welcome to Baltimore, Hon!” Whether you have two hours or two days, this tour is the “inside scoop” on what makes “Bawlmer” tick.

From Camden Yards to City Hall, Johns Hopkins Hospital to Shock Trauma, the Flag House to Fort McHenry, “Hairspray” to “Homicide”, Baltimore celebrates its history, its heroes, and it’s hot spots.

Experience the ethnic, the eccentric and the everyday in this informative and entertaining trip through “Charm City”. 2-1/2 hours.

Meals, hotels, transportation and attractions are also available.

Accent on Baltimore Group Services

– Greenspring Tours, Inc.

Mount Vernon Cultural Walk – Explore Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street National Scenic Byway leads to Baltimore foremost philanthropic and cultural institutions. May – October: Weekends at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail – Baltimore’s world once renowned entertainment district and premier historic African American neighborhood.  Tours start State Center Metro Center, Eutaw & Preston Street entrance.  Advance reservations are necessary.

Historic Fell’s Point Trail – Founded in 1726, History runs throughout the cobblestone street of Fell’s Point. The area’s residents were eyewitnesses to the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.  May – October, Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:00 p.m. or with advance reservation for groups.

For more information visit www.nps.gov/balt or www.baltimore.org

In addition to refreshments, guests will have a special viewing of the Maryland State Archives (MSA) titled “Flee” about the experiences of slaves who escaped from bondage. Staff interpreters will be on hand for this and the Paul Henderson Collection of Baltimore photographs.

While anyone may attend, we encourage you to RSVP on Facebook

Maryland Historical Society
201 West Monument St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

The Baltimore Heritage Quilters’ Guild (BHQG) was founded in 1984 by three women who met through the owner of a local quilt shop. They decided to meet in October, and presented “Baltimore’s History in Quiltmaking” to interested Baltimoreans. Needless to say, they were pleasantly surprised when sixty people attended! The BHQG was born!

Today, the guild is thriving with approximately 150 members. A diverse range of programs and specialty classes are offered to meet the varying skill levels and interests of the members. Monthly meetings are held from September to June, where a variety of topics is discussed. From “quilting expert” speakers to show-and-tell, the guild is alive and well in Baltimore, today.

If the BHQG sounds like something you’d be interested in, feel free to drop by one of our meetings. They are held at 7.00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Woodbrook Baptist Church. Hope to see you (and your quilts) there!

Visitor Information

2012 Tubman Day Theme: Honoring Harriet’s Helpers!
March 10th, 2012 marks the 99th anniversary of Harriet Tubman’s passing as well as the 12th anniversary of the African American Tourism Council of Maryland’s statewide observance of the State of Maryland’s official Harriet Ross Tubman Day.  In March 2000, the Maryland General Assembly at the Council’s request enacted legislation designating March 10th annually as Harriet Tubman Day of Remembrance in the State of Maryland.  As a result of Harriet’s birth date being unknown March 10th was chosen as it was the date Harriet passed in 1913.

The 2012 Tubman Day programs will be held on March 7-11, 2012 in Baltimore, Annapolis, Cambridge and Washington, DC.
The 2012 Tubman Day theme is “Honoring Harriet’s Helpers”.   We will explore the role of Maryland’s Abolitionists and others who aided the freedom seekers journey on the Underground Railroad.  Annually, as part of the Maryland Tubman Day program, a deserving individual is selected to receive the annual Harriet Ross Tubman Lifetime Achievement Award.

Today, I am pleased to announce that the Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Harriet Ross Tubman Lifetime Achievement Award.  Senator Mikulski’s selection is based on her many dedicated years of public service as an effective, trusted and beloved member of the United States Senate, and for her outstanding efforts in supporting and providing resources including funding for Harriet Ross Tubman Initiatives.. The award will be presented on March 9, 2012 in Annapolis, Maryland.  The program is free and open to the public. However reservations are required.  Members of Harriet Ross Tubman family and the Maryland General Assembly are invited to attend.  Governor Martin O’Malley will be invited to present the Tubman Day Award to Senator Mikulski.

Please support the passage of Senate bill 247, which creates two National Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks, one in Auburn, New York and another in Eastern Shore, Maryland   The State of Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development-Office of Tourism Development serves as the lead sponsor along with the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development and Visit Baltimore.  If you wish to serve as a sponsor and advertiser please send an email to loucfields@gmail.com or call 443.983.7974.

All Maryland schools,, counties, history societies, tourism offices and preservation agencies are encouraged to host a Tubman Day program, activity or Underground Railroad project.  For additional information, please contact Mr. Louis C. Fields, MD Tubman Day Coordinator at 443.983.7974 or email: loucfields@gmail.com for updates.   The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Tour and the Frederick Douglass “Path to Freedom” Walking Tour is available by appointment.  Please email: bbhtours@gmail.com.

In the 1956 event, Mr. Palmer hooked his first two tee shots into Hillen Road (the road that borders the first hole along the full length of the par-5). In frustration, Mr. Palmer returned to his caddie and jammed his driver back into his golf bag saying, “That’s it… I quit.” His playing partner, Billy Casper, pulled Palmer aside and said, “Arnold, you can spot this field a few shots and still win.” With a grim look on his face, Palmer pulled an iron from the bag, teed off safely, and went on to win the tournament. Of course, the rest is history.

See the Mount Pleasant Golf Course website for Greens Fees and Hours of Operation (PDF).

General admission to the Walters Art Museum is free. Special exhibitions are paid, ticketed events.

Hours

Hours of operation for the museum are Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Get directions to the Walters Art Museum, located at 600 North Charles Street in Baltimore’s historic Mt. Vernon Cultural District. Parking is available. Details about visitor policies and accessibility are all available.