In the Parlor: The Personal Lives of Marylanders

Drawing on diaries, letters, photographs, scrapbooks, published materials, government records, and memorabilia, In the Parlor: the Personal Lives of Marylanders, considers how the stories of the lives of eight Marylanders illuminate and reflect larger historical themes and realities, such as religion, war, politics, race, careers, and family life.
The people and collections highlighted in this exhibit span a wide range of political, religious, social, and economic spheres. Their lives spanned the 19th and 20th centuries. The materials that these people left behind, either intentionally with the historical record in mind, or merely as a part of their daily routine, provide an intimate look at both private and public life, and yet altogether they comprise only a portion of Maryland history. Included are the stories of Maryland politicians, women, teachers, scientists, writers, and people involved in the University of Maryland community. In many ways, their lives overlapped, although none of the individuals in this exhibit, to our knowledge, were acquainted with each other.

It is our hope that visitors to our "parlor" will learn that even the most simple records and accounts of events by individuals, combined with official records and other documentation, become part of the historical record and help future generations learn about past history in a very personal way.

Read the exhibit program!