The first step of our restoration efforts -------removing more than 350 lbs. of bird guano from the cab and evicting the pigeons who had taken up residency there -------was completed last year. When we reach our campaign goal, we'll repair, scrape, and paint the crane and then add LED lighting. With an anticipated completion date of summer 2018, the dramatically illuminated crane will complement other Baltimore landmarks such as the Domino Sugar sign and the Bromo Seltzer tower.

Donations ranging from $25.00 to $50,000.00 are making our restoration efforts possible.  Insurance advisory firm RCM&D, which holds an annual event at the museum, recently gave a generous donation in support of the crane. Company president Robert Cawley explains, "As both the city and our firm continue to promote our expanding national and international reputations, the BMI and the crane stand as sentinels of Baltimore's past and future." 

Click here for more information about the crane's history, our restoration plans, and to learn about how you can help us reach our goal. Click below to view our Save the Crane video. 

Save the Crane

Debbie recently graduated from UMBC with a bachelor's degree in history, and has future plans to complete a master's. She has longstanding interests in fashion history and antique/vintage clothing, including a personal garment collection that spans the 1750s through to the 1950s. Debbie's first project at the BMI involved working with some of the older garments in the collection including identifying and verifying garment ages, ensuring items were correctly catalogued in the database, and repacking garments for storage. Debbie continued volunteering her time in the collections department, mostly cataloguing objects, before turning her talents to exhibitions and in particular, curating the BMI's changing garment window display.

According to Debbie, the BMI's garment collection is special because it is packed with connections: "Most museums collect clothing because it belonged to a particular person or because the design and workmanship rises to the level of true art - most of that clothing represents only a small portion of society. The BMI's clothing collection represents the people of Baltimore.... and that makes it far more relatable to most people." Some of her favorite items at the BMI include Baltimore-made suits from the 1960s, tailors' patterns, and the blue and white Jeanette Beck coat (currently on display in the garment window) that once belonged to Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley.

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