BALTIMORE, Md. — Homewood is a national historic landmark and has been a museum on the campus of John Hopkins University since 1987.
In the past, the museum tour focused on the rich decorative arts and architectural history within the mansion. In a new and exciting look at history, Curator, Dr. Julie Jones, has dug deep to intertwine the fabric of the lives of the three families that lived at Homewood. In an effort to bridge the gap, Homewood museum is offering free guided tours throughout the month of February.
"We thought it would be a really great opportunity for the Baltimore community to visit Homewood during the month of February. By making it free we thought we could accommodate so many types of audiences that included families and school groups and folks that may not normally come here. We thought that would be a great opportunity to open our doors that way," said Dr. Jones.
The tour now gives equal focus to the Carroll family and the two enslaved families that served them, the Ross family and the Connor family.
"There are stories that we tell on the tour that talk about enslavement but they also talk about other social issues that are really important to us today. The reason why I feel that it’s so important to share these stories is because it’s part of an accurate picture of American history. These are voices that have been placed on the margins very often and for many many decades. And its an opportunity for us to learn an inclusive history about what the American story is." said Dr. Jones.
While guest are on the tour, they get the opportunity to visit the many rooms where all the families interacted.
"The dining room is one of the most formally finished rooms in the house. This was a room of performance. This was a room where all the individuals who lived an labored at Homewood had some participation, had some role to play. William would be here dressed in his Livery serving food and back in the service wings Becky Ross and Sis Connnor would be preparing the food, plating the food or washing the dishes," said Dr. Jones
Jones says this is an opportunity to show Baltimoreans that there is something new and historically significant to share.
"Its really an incredible opportunity to look deeply at the life history of two specific documented families. The significance is wide ranging." said Dr. Jones.
For more information on how to get tickets, click here.
