Monitoring Progress: A Guide
In the heart of Baltimore, the B&O Railroad Museum (BORM) stands as a testament to the history of American railroading. Anna Kresmer, an archivist at the BORM, delves into the profound impact the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad had on the nation's development.
Established in 1827, the B&O Railroad was the first common carrier railway in the United States. This groundbreaking achievement, according to Kresmer, revolutionized commercial travel and transformed the concept of distance. It led to a shift from small town or small colony identification into a nation, marking a significant milestone in American history. Kresmer compares this seismic cultural shift to the advent of the internet, emphasizing its far-reaching implications.
The BORM's collection, spanning approximately 7,200 linear feet, is a treasure trove of history. It houses archives, a library, and a myriad of small objects, each telling a story of the past. Among the collection's most prized possessions is a mechanical pencil gifted by President Abraham Lincoln to then-B&O President John Work Garrett.
The majority of the items in the BORM's collection date from the 1820s to the early 1970s, providing a rich context for societal changes in the 19th and 20th centuries. Particularly, these materials help establish a shared American identity, as Kresmer explains.
Original journals of surveyors determining the path of the B&O Railroad are significant materials in the BORM's collection. These documents offer a glimpse into the planning and construction of the railroad, a process that reshaped the nation's landscape and connected communities like never before.
Kresmer's role at the B&O Railroad Museum involves analyzing and cataloguing materials, overseeing the research library, and supporting exhibit development. She fulfills reference requests from various disciplines, including rail history buffs, authors, and screenwriters, who seek to unravel the intricate history of the B&O Railroad.
The B&O Railroad Museum's research library contains materials that provide insights into the societal changes during the 19th and 20th centuries. One such example is the collection of stereo slides from the 1927 Fair of the Iron Horse, B&O's two-week-long centennial celebration.
During the US Civil War, key historical figures connected to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad played strategic roles. Union military leaders used the railroad for troop and supply movements, a relationship that is documented through artifacts, documents, and exhibits in the B&O Railroad Museum's collections.
Located in the historic Mount Clare Station and Roundhouse building in Baltimore, the B&O Railroad Museum stands as a beacon of American history. Its collection offers a unique perspective on the past, shedding light on the transformative impact of the B&O Railroad on the nation's identity and development.
