Irish American Museum

06/04/2026

Service is a cornerstone of the Irish American experience. It’s a legacy built on the social networks and safety nets we’ve created—from the charitable work and heritage preservation of the AOH and LAOH to the generations who have served as first responders and community pillars.

This June, the Heritage Pages Book Club explores this "Wellspring of Service" by reading The Girls Who Fought Crime. This is the true story of the pioneering women who entered the world of law enforcement during the early 20th century, often against steep institutional resistance. It captures how these women used their own professional networks and personal grit to navigate a male-dominated field, ultimately forcing the system to recognize their value in public safety.

Join the discussion: Sunday, June 28th at 5:30 PM via Zoom.

Cost: $5 for the public, and free for museum members.

Registration: Visit our website to secure your link. Members, please use your registration code at checkout—if you haven't received yours or need a reminder, just reach out and we’ll get you set up!

06/02/2026

Looking for a new project this August? 🧶

Join us at the Irish American Museum for a four-week workshop series: "Unraveling the Irish Knot." We’ll be exploring the traditional techniques of Irish crochet lace, and you’ll leave with your own handmade Christmas ornament to treasure.

We provide all the specialized materials—from cotton cord to stiffening supplies—so all you need to do is show up ready to craft.

🗓️ When: Sundays in August, starting the 9th (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
📍 Where: Irish American Museum, Baltimore
🎟️ Early Bird: Register by July 12th to get the full four-class bundle for $100. Use code LUATH at checkout.

Spots are limited. Grab yours via the QR code in the image or at:https://givebutter.com/unraveling-the-irish-knot-beginners-lace-classes-copy-faae5q

05/31/2026

Looking for something to do this month? We’ve put together our June schedule so you don’t miss a beat. Between the regional festivals and our own upcoming gatherings, there’s plenty of music, dance, and craic to go around. Take a look at the list in the second image and let us know which ones you’re hitting!

05/30/2026

🏛️ Welcome to Stop #4 on the MHGP Tour!

The Irish American Museum is open for extended hours today from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM! Come see historic preservation in action.

Here is what you will find today:

The Rowhouse Transformation: See exactly how these historic working-class spaces were rescued from the brink through our special photo display panels.

Mrs. Feeley’s Back Garden: Step out back to see the beautiful floral arrangements put together by the MHGP flower committee and our board.

Supporting the Stables: 100% of the proceeds from today's tour go directly toward funding the Mt. Clare stable project.

Come explore the neighborhood's roots and help protect local history. See you at Stop #4!

📍 Irish American Museum
🕙 Hours Today: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

05/29/2026

I Am America: Order the special, drink the near beer, and don’t eat the shamrocks.

The May edition is live, and we’re moving past the green-dyed myths to uncover the real history of the Irish-American experience. This month, we’re looking at the two pillars of immigrant life: the table and the pub.

From the private kitchens where our ancestors adapted traditional recipes to the realities of American markets, to the pub floorboards that served as our neighborhood’s secret headquarters—we’re digging into the grit of a culture that refused to be flattened by commercialization. We’re exploring how the foodways we brought with us were transformed by new ingredients and how our gathering spaces became the engines of survival for a community navigating a new world.

Pull up a chair to the Irish table and read the full story: https://www.irishamericanmuseum.org/big-pivot-posts/i-am-america-order-the-special-drink-the-near-beer-and-dont-eat-the-shamrocks

05/25/2026

We wish our community a day of meaningful reflection this Memorial Day. As we gather with family and friends, we also pause to turn our thoughts toward the brave men and women whose sacrifice made this peace possible.

At the Irish American Museum, we hold a profound reverence for all those who have stood in the ranks of the fallen. For centuries, Irish Americans have woven their own courage into the broader American narrative. From the earliest days of the Revolution to the front lines of every conflict that has followed, they fought not as a separate entity, but as part of the heartbeat of this nation—bound to their comrades and to the ideal of a country that offered them a new beginning.

Today, we honor that unity. We acknowledge the collective resolve of every American who gave everything to protect this nation. We do not just remember their service; we remember their humanity, their sacrifice, and the enduring debt we owe them.

To those who made the ultimate sacrifice: Your country remembers. Your legacy lives on.

05/24/2026

Come see us today at SOWEBO Fest! 🎨🎶

A little off-and-on spitting rain won't stop a Baltimore tradition—and it definitely won't stop the Irish! SOWEBO Fest is strictly rain or shine, so grab your umbrella (or your sun hat, depending on the minute) and come on down.
Our tent is up! You can find us set up right in front of Hollins Hall, just across the street to the north of Zella's.

Alongside our summer preview, we have a special display on the history of Hollins Hall and Market set up today. Come learn a little neighborhood history while you celebrate South Baltimore arts and community! ☔✨

📍 Find us right across from Zella's Pizzeria / in front of Hollins Hall!

🕒 Today (Sunday) 12pm-8pm

💻 Visit us online: www.irishamericanmuseum.org

05/23/2026

⏳ ONLY ONE WEEK AWAY! ⏳

The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage is continuing its incredible 2026 tour season, and next up is Mount Clare & Southwest Baltimore on Saturday, May 30, 2026!

We are proud to share that the Irish American Museum is a featured stop on this wonderful single-day tour, which highlights a side of the city deeply shaped by iron production, manufacturing, the railroad, immigration, citizenship, and civil rights. That rich history is on full display across all the participating sites!

🏛️ Sites Included on the Tour:
Irish American Museum

Mount Clare Museum

Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church

Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum

P.S. 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center & BONUS SITES: Juanita Jackson and Clarence Mitchell, Jr. House & Mitchell Family Law Offices (exterior ONLY)

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground & Old St. Paul's Cemetery

Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum

Enoch Pratt House at the Maryland Center for History & Culture

🐴 Tour with a Purpose!
Every ticket purchased helps preserve local history! Tour proceeds directly support Mount Clare Museum’s stable restoration. Located in Carroll Park and built by the city of Baltimore in 1910 to house the police department's horses, this unit was one of the oldest continuously operated mounted police divisions in the United States.

Renovations will include upgraded ADA bathrooms, a catering kitchen, and building electrical and environmental systems so the building can be used for public programs and as a rental facility!

🎟️ Grab Your Tickets Today!
Come spend the day exploring the neighborhood, walking where history happened, and supporting local historic preservation.

👉 Scan the QR code on the second page of the flyer or visit the MHGP website to get your tickets!

05/21/2026

📚 Heritage Pages: Cast Your Vote for June! 🗳️

This June, our theme is "The Civic Heart: Community and Service." We are diving deep into the history of how Irish-Americans actually ran the streets—exploring everything from the backroom deals of old-school political machines to the gritty, dangerous front lines of early law enforcement.

We have three incredible historical paths we can take this month. Click the link below to head straight to the official poll and cast your ballot!

THE NOMINEES:
📖 (1) The Last Hurrah by Edwin O'Connor (Fiction - 392 pages)
Smoke-filled rooms, neighborhood bosses, and old-school street politics. This classic, witty novel follows a charismatic mayor running his final, bittersweet campaign inside a legendary Irish political machine.

📖 (2) The Irish Way by James R. Barrett (Non-Fiction - 384 pages)
A fast-paced look at the streets. This social history shows how working-class Irish immigrants became the literal backbone of city life—taking over the police forces, fire departments, and early labor unions.

📖 (3) The Girls Who Fought Crime by Mari K. Eder (Non-Fiction Biography - 224 pages)
The true story of Mae Foley, a trailblazing Irish-American detective in early 1900s New York. She broke into a deeply male-dominated world, took on gangsters and bootleggers, and trained an elite squad of thousands of women to fight crime.

👉 Vote Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1372583861027394/1372583871027393/?active_tab=discussion

The winner will be announced in the June newsletter. Let us know what we're reading next!

05/15/2026

THINK YOU KNOW THE IRISH PUB? THINK AGAIN. 🍀✨

Tomorrow morning, we’re opening the doors at Lemmon Street for a journey that’s been centuries in the making. This isn’t a lecture—it’s an immersive, high-energy dive into the real grit and flavor of the Irish-American experience.

We’re putting your senses and your wits to the test. Can you handle the heat of a 19th-century kitchen? Can you tell the difference between a safe run and a "poison" batch at the distiller's workbench? Can you find the rhythm of the neighborhood when the pressure is on?

If you can find the secret Gaelic passcode and navigate the journey, the Hidden 916 Sanctuary is yours. We’re cooling off inside with a communal spread of pure Irish-American comfort—bangers and creamy champ, hearty shepherd’s pie, and the traditions that built a legacy. 🍽️❄️

THE DETAILS:
📅 WHEN: Tomorrow! Saturday, May 16th
⏰ TIMES: Timed tours depart every 20-30 mins starting at 11:30 AM
📍 WHERE: The Irish American Museum (920 Lemmon St.)
🎟️ TICKETS: $20 General / $15 Members

Space is limited—grab your tickets and see if you have the grit to finish the journey!

GET TICKETS HERE:

Brews, Bites, & Whiskey Tales