Johns Hopkins, a Quaker and a strong proponent of abolition, was a Baltimore businessman who made his fortune in business as well as in the railroads. Upon his death, it was Hopkins’ intent that the bulk of his fortune be used to establish a Baltimore hospital and university. In addition,Continue Reading
It wasn’t until the 1830s that carbonated beverages became popular by the American public. Until that time, manufacturing carbonated water was a very difficult and time consuming process. English Chemist Joseph Priestley in 1767 discovered a method for creating carbonated water by infusing plain water with carbonContinue Reading
George Kunkel was one of the first promoters of the 19th century genre of Minstrelsy in the United States. Born in Greencastle PA in 1821, Kunkel first arrived in Baltimore in 1855. There he became associated with three prominent places of theatrical entertainment in the city. Minstrelsy were acts andContinue Reading
Die Sozial-Demokratische Turngemeide was founded in 1849 in Baltimore Maryland. Among several German organizations in mid-18th century Baltimore, the club served as a social outlet for German emigrants who lived in the cityContinue Reading
Born in Reutlingen in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg in 1809, John “Jacob” Seeger emigrated to the United States when he was about 22 years old. Raised by a father who was an accomplished silver-plater in what became part of the German EmpireContinue Reading
The Smith & Wicks Canning Factory and Packing House was a prominent and influential business in Baltimore during late 19th century. The company was founded by R. Tynes Smith and William A. Wicks, who grew their partnership from a small operationContinue Reading
