Wednesday, November 10, 2010

This event was sponsored by Baltimore City National Heritage Area, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, and Visit Baltimore

Highlights from the day
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine hosted the morning presentation and Vince Vaise, Chief of Interpretation, gave an overview of the Battle of Baltimore.  Attendees then toured the Pride of Baltimore II, witnessed a cannon demonstration, and participated in an interpretative program. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also gave remarks on the city’s planning for the bicentennial.

The tour included stops at the following sites:

• Maryland Historical Society (home of orginial Star-Spangled Banner written by Francis Scott Key).  Dr. David Hildebrand, a music historian, gave a presentation on 1812-era music;
• Star-Spangled Banner Flag House (the 1793 home where Mary Pickersgill made the iconic flag);
• Fells Point (the site where Baltimore Clipper ships were built and many privateers were based); and 
• Patterson Park (the site of Rodgers Bastion and the location of earthworks used in the defense of Baltimore against British land forces).

A highlight video is on YouTube.