Maryland has a rich history of distilling, dating back to the 1500s, when colonists first began producing rum and whiskey. Over the next few hundred years, the number of distilleries surged, solidifying Maryland's place as a leader in the nation's spirits industry.

During Prohibition Maryland gained its reputation as the "Free State" by refusing to pass any legislation enforcing Prohibition. Not surprisingly, distilling rebounded following the repeal of the 18th Amendment but the boom was relatively short-lived, and after WWII a combination of economic changes and decreased demand led to the shuttering of one distillery after another.

 

Since 2008, new distilleries are opening in Maryland at a record rate, reviving old tr aditions and deve loping new, unique spirits that reflect the ever-changing landscape of distilling. From rums & whiskeys to vodka, gin, brandy, grappa and more, Maryland is becoming a mecca for spirits enthusiasts, and is currently home to more than 15 distilleries.

May is Photography Month and Preservation Month, and to celebrate, we're launching the #MyBMICrane campaign to recognize the beauty and significance of BMI's 1942 100-foot "whirley crane"-named for its ability to turn 360 degrees. The BMI crane helped build numerous Liberty and Victory ships during World War II and continued in ship repair and conversion after 1945.

 

As we work to restore the crane through our Save the Crane campaign, we invite the community to help us capture the crane's potential through unique and artful photography. We hope everyone (from museum visitors to casual passers-by) will celebrate the crane's place in Baltimore's industrial skyline and share their best photos on social media. We can't wait to see your artsy photos, selfies, wedding photos and more. Just tag and follow #MyBMICrane!

 

Learn more about the Save the Crane fundraising campaign.