For nearly three centuries, Baltimore has stood as a center of commerce and
culture for the Chesapeake Bay. The city has seen the incredible
transformation of American identity, shaped by war, prosperity, and struggles
for freedom and civil rights. Visit the Baltimore National Heritage Area to
experience the places and people that shaped the nation and forged the
American identity.

For nearly three centuries, Baltimore has stood as a center of commerce and culture for the Chesapeake Bay. The city has seen the incredible transformation of American identity, shaped by war, prosperity, and struggles for freedom and civil rights. Visit the Baltimore National Heritage Area to experience the places and people that shaped the nation and forged the American identity.

Bird's eye view of the park

Baltimore National Heritage Area

For three years the young United States was embroiled in the War of 1812 and
the Chesapeake Bay region felt the brunt of it, choked by shipping blockades
and ravaged by enemy raids. Through sites and landscapes in Virginia, the
District of Columbia, and Maryland, the Trail tells the stories of the events,
people, and places that led to the birth of the U.S. national anthem.

For three years the young United States was embroiled in the War of 1812 and the Chesapeake Bay region felt the brunt of it, choked by shipping blockades and ravaged by enemy raids. Through sites and landscapes in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland, the Trail tells the stories of the events, people, and places that led to the birth of the U.S. national anthem.

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad
stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry!
The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September
13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S.
national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the
Civil War to WWII.

by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Hampton National Historic Site preserves what remains of a once 25,000-acre
enslavement plantation. For hundreds of years, enslaved people, indentured
servants, tenant farmers, paid laborers, and the Ridgely family all made their
own contributions to Hampton, creating a space where cruelty and decadence
collide to provide a complex history of the United States.

Hampton National Historic Site preserves what remains of a once 25,000-acre enslavement plantation. For hundreds of years, enslaved people, indentured servants, tenant farmers, paid laborers, and the Ridgely family all made their own contributions to Hampton, creating a space where cruelty and decadence collide to provide a complex history of the United States.

Baltimore National Heritage Area

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Nearby Parks

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Hampton National Historic Site