Her invitation sounds intriguing. Walters is a museum I love to visit, but I don't go nearly as much as I would like. Ironically it's those sights right in our backyard that we often ignore. I tell her, "I'd love to go. How about Sunday? Let's make a day of it."
The Walters, in Baltimore, Maryland, is internationally renowned for its collection of priceless art from around the world. Among its treasures are Roman sculpture, Byzantine icons, carved sarcophagi, a lioness-headed goddess, mummies, Roman portraits, alabaster reliefs, Italian crucifixes, Etruscan metal work, and Art Deco jewelry.
The museum is also notable for its outstanding rare book collection of over 850 handmade Medieval illuminated manuscripts. For example, visitors can view the Beaupré Antiphonary: The Resurrection, dated 1290, a Flemish choir book made of parchment depicting the music that was sung early in the morning on Easter Sunday. It's breathtaking with hand-written script, lavishly-painted oversized initial letters, and elaborate decorative borders.
When my daughter arrives, we take the subway from my suburban home to get to the museum. On our ride, she describes her project. "I have to find a Greek art object dating from 350-650 B.C. and take photographs of it. I need to describe the object I choose in some way that's unique from anything already covered. So I want to find a really interesting object." Greek vases are not my first choice of a collection to visit at the Walters, but that's okay. We have most of the day!
We get off at the Charles Station and walk north four blocks. The Walters Museum is located at 600 North Charles Street in Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon Cultural District, one mile north of the Inner Harbor. The museum is also conveniently located near MTA bus lines and the Centre Street Light Rail stop. It's easy to drive here by taking I-83 south to the Maryland Avenue exit. Parking is available in nearby metered spaces, garages, or lots. Walters is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8.00, and $5.00 for seniors and students. Every First Thursday admission is free.
On our walk from the subway along Charles Street, my daughter and I pass through the Mt. Vernon Cultural District. The streets of Mt. Vernon are lined with 18th-century brownstones, historic churches, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and skyscrapers. Between 1800 and 1900, Mt. Vernon was at the center of Baltimore's transformation from an insignificant harbor city to a place of prominence and wealth. Grand townhouses were built where Baltimore society made its home. Mt. Vernon today retains its beauty and historic charm.
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