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Baltimore-WashingtonConference 
 General Commission on Archives and History Drew Univ., Madison, NJ Dale Patterson, Head Archivist |
 Welcome to our site.The museum is housed on the ground floor of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church. Considered the Mother Church of American Methodism, Lovely Lane is listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its unique architecture. The church was designed by Stanford White in 1884 as a centennial monument to the founding of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The original Lovely Lane Meeting House was located in downtown Baltimore at 206 E. Redwood Street. It was at that site that the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the 1784 Christmas Conference. There, Francis Asbury and others were ordained by Bishop Coke and sent "to reform the nation and spread scriptural holiness over these lands." The History of the Museum The American Methodist Historical Society was established in 1855.
Letters of Asbury, Wesley, Coke and other leaders as well as paintings, books and personal possessions have been accumulated during the 150 years since the founding of the society.
The year 2005 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lovely Lane Methodist Museum and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Methodist Historical Society. The collection was housed in "The Preachers' Rooms" on Baltimore Street until the great Baltimore fire of 1904. During the fire the Strawbridge Pulpit and Asbury Portrait were snatched from the fire. Much of the collection was lost in the flames. Saddened but not discouraged by the loss, the members of the Society, under the leadership of Dr. John F. Goucher and others, started the work of rebuilding. Many valuable artifacts and materials were added and the collection was moved to its present home in Lovely Lane. Artifacts / ArtThe collection contains approximately 200 slides, 350 mounted photographs and pictures, oil paintings, lithographs, Baltimore Album Quilts and a large collection of Methodist memorabilia. Collection items date from the 18th through the 21st centuries.
ServicesThe Museum is open to visitors Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 12 noon. It is recommended that you call 410-889- 4458 (or 410-889-1512) or email in advance in the event of an unscheduled closure.Group tours of the recently restored church and the museum are available. To arrange group tours of the church and museum call 410-889-1512.
There is a $5 per day fee for researchers visiting the Archives and a copy fee of $.15 per copy. There is $25 fee per hour for staff conducted research. The fee does not include photocopies and postage. Local church historians, scholars and United Methodist Historical Society members are exempt from the $5 visit fee. Staff will conduct genealogical research for UMHS members at a reduced fee of $15 per hour with the first hour at no charge. We accept research queries via mail, phone and e-mail. See the Genealogy Corner for more information and guidance for doing genealogical research and requesting information. We invite you to browse our site and discover more about the following.
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Researchers are welcome Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. It is recommended that you call 410-889- 4458 or email in advance in the event of an unscheduled closure or to arrange an appointment. We accept research queries via mail, phone and e-mail.