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Experiences|Museums

Here Are 8 Museums In Maryland That Are Just Too Weird For Words

Maryland offers a variety of unique and quirky museums that provide fun and unusual exhibits.

Published Mar 4, 2016

Written by 

Jamie Alvarenga

Maryland has plenty of unique places to visit but did you know we also have unique museums as well? From medical specimens to peculiar dolls, our state is filled with fun and quirky exhibits to explore. Check out the following list for 8 weird museums in Maryland that are oddly charming.

1. The William P. Didusch Center for Urological History

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NelC / Flickr

Be surrounded by kidney stones and illustrations of stomach dropping medical devices at The Center for Urologic History in Linthicum. An interesting trip, indeed.

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2. National Museum of Health And Medicine

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Dan Reed / Flickr
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John Nakamura Remy / Flickr

The nation's medical museum is a fascinating collection of medical specimens, some of which may not be for the faint of heart. Located in Silver Spring.

3. National Museum of Dentistry

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National Museum of Dentistry / Facebook
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A. Currell / Flickr

The National Museum of Dentistry is full of historical dental tools, vintage ads, and also George Washington's dentures! Take the trip to Baltimore to find out if his teeth were REALLY made of wood.

4. Havre de Grace Decoy Museum

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Maryland Green Registry / Flickr
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janelle / Flickr

Head to the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum and see the display of over 1,200 decoys. There are also several decorative wood carvings, for true wood work connoisseurs.

5. National Great Blacks in Wax Museum

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Sherrine Thompson / Flickr
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Sherrine Thompson / Flickr

This Baltimore museum displays African-American history by use of wax figures. A unique experience like no other. Check out their website here.

6. National Cryptologic Museum

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Matt Davis / Flickr
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J Brew / Flickr

All Da Vinci Code fans must head to The National Cryptologic Museum. This spot located in Annapolis Junction includes the best known German cryptographic machine of World War II.

7. Geppi's Entertainment Museum

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Travis Seitler / Flickr
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A. Currell / Flickr

Geppi's has a gigantic collection of pop culture memorabilia, along with vintage dolls guaranteed to give you the chills. Located in Baltimore.

8. American Visionary Art Museum

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Jon / Flickr
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Jack Lyons / Flickr

This museum is the most Charm City-est place EVER. Website here.

Perhaps you could take a day trip to one of these spots or visit several for a spectacular oddities filled adventure!

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Experiences|Museums

Visit The Heart Of The Bay In Maryland At The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Published Mar 28, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the crown jewels of Maryland, and it's no mystery why. Whether you've been a lifelong resident of the Old Line State or are traveling through, there are few places better to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Bay than the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. Let's take a look at all that this wonderful resource has to offer, shall we?

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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, also known as the CBMM, was established in an effort to preserve the culture, history, and landscape of the Bay.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Google Reviews

As stated on the website, the CBMM is driven by "values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner."

In short, it's a community resource for all things related to the Bay, a resource we can all agree is one worth studying, celebrating, and protecting.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

The museum first opened in 1965 on Navy Point, which was once a collection of docks, workboats, and packing houses on the St. Michaels Harbor.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

The organization was founded by citizens who cherished the histories and traditions of the Bay, wanting to keep them alive. Today, the museum welcomes nearly 100,000 guests each year!

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

So, what can you expect from your visit? To start, the 18-acre campus is home to a fleet of historic boats and vessels, historic structures, and immersive exhibits.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

The CBMM has also made partnerships with other local businesses and organizations, including the YMCA of the Chesapeake, Habitat for Humanity Choptank, and the beloved Crab Claw.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

Throughout the year, the museum hosts talks and events. One upcoming event, for example, dives into the history of the Chesapeake crab cake.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

Looking for some hands-on programs? Sign up for a Shipyard Workday, where you can work on the construction and restoration of vessels. How incredible is that?

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CBMM, website

No matter your reason for visiting, you'll leave feeling inspired by all that is the beloved Chesapeake Bay.

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

Have you ever visited the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum? What did you think of your experience there? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For more information on planning your visit, be sure to check out the official Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum website. You can also donate to this wonderful organization.

Need a place to stay while you're exploring? Check out these gorgeous Chesapeake Bay rentals in Maryland.

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Experiences|Museums

The National Bonsai Museum Is One of Maryland’s Best-Kept Secrets

The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in D.C. offers a unique and enjoyable day trip showcasing the art of bonsai with free admission.

Published Jul 21, 2023

Written by 

Hugh Taylor

OK, so the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is technically in D.C. Actually, it’s entirely in D.C. However, it’s so close to Prince George’s County that the drive from Maryland is negligible, and trust me when I say that this is one of the most unique and enjoyable museum day trips you will ever take. Bonsai is an art that operates at a beautiful intersection of nature, history, and sculpture. These trees are living poetry the whole family can appreciate!

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The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum began in 1976 when the Nippon Bonsai Club of Japan donated 53 trees as a gift commemorating America’s bicentennial. The museum was constructed on the grounds of the National Arboretum and is an absolutely delightful slice of culture.

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Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

Bonsai trees are kept in their dwarfed state by a meticulous process of pruning, wiring, and root reduction, amongst other methods. The result is a miniature tree that is somehow simultaneously wild and cultivated.

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Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

A walk through the grounds of the museum will bring you on a full journey through the bonsai art form, from its origins in China and Japan to its North American incarnations. It’s also full of visually stunning arrangements that could have easily leapt off of a film reel.

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Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

Some of the arrangements are designed to reflect, in miniature, larger landscapes, like mountains stalwart above the clouds or islands rising from the ocean foam. The interpretations are left up to the observer, and resultantly are innumerable.

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Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

The crown jewel of the collection is the Yamaki Pine. This tree is over 400 years old and was cultivated in Hiroshima, Japan. It was one of the original 53 trees presented by Japan to America in 1976.

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Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo

The Yamaki Pine witnessed almost the entirety of the 200-year Tokugawa shogunate, the Restoration of Emperor Meiji in 1868, and survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, all to end up standing here in our own backyard. It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight.

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Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

The National Arboretum grounds are full of beautiful places within walking distance of the Bonsai & Penjing Museum for the whole family to explore - perfect for a sunny weekend outing!

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Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

And, like these seven museums in Maryland, admission to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is free! These little trees love basking in your shade for a change, so be sure to check it out.

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