Blog Posts

Enoch Pratt Free Library

We know that 520 Park is perfectly located amidst so many great restaurants and attractions, but one that might escape your attention is the Enoch Pratt Free Library - just a few blocks away. The Central Library of Baltimore City's public library system, was designated the State Library Resource Center (SLRC) by the General Assembly in 1971. While it's certainly no surprise that it has wide selections of books, our public libraries offer so much more. Though the library will remain open throughout construction, a major renovation is underway until 2018 that will preserve the past and position the Enoch Pratt Free Library to serve all Marylanders in the future. The library currently serves half a million visitors each year, and the plans for the state-of-the-art renovations to the Central Library will improve the building's infrastructure and increase opportunities for learning, research, creativity and civic engagement. Furthermore, as described by the library website, it will complement the Pratt's significant print collection with the latest technologies, welcoming a vibrant future while preserving a cherished historic landmark. The renovation will yield more public library space than is currently available, along with expanded training/conference facilities and multi-purpose spaces. There will be "Creation Stations" to fuel creative learning for a new Teen and Young Adult wing and expanded children's department. Improvements will restore the majesty of the central hall while modernizing technology with more public computers, audio-visual equipment, and even a job/career center. While all of these developments are on the way, you still have access to all the great facilities and programs offered in the meantime. It has multiple rooms for events including a large auditorium, the Poe Room for more intimate events, and a fantastic Children's Department with rooms for early learning and play. Events include frequent free movie screenings and readings by local and nationally famous authors. Be sure to check out the calendar for all the upcoming programs and events to see what will pique your interest. If the best things in life are free, then given our proximity to the impressive, block-long, central branch, life here is pretty good! Enoch Pratt Free Library - Central branch 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201 prattlibrary.org

Recognize This Face

Recognize this face? Believe it or not, you see this face every day...just not this close. This is actually a close up view of George Washington atop the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon. If you ask most people about the original Washington Monument, they'll start talking about the one in Washington DC. In our neighborhood, though, we know better. Just around the corner from 520 Park stands the first architectural monument planned to honor George Washington, and the oldest surviving one. However, as you've undoubtedly noticed, it stands shrouded in scaffolding as its renovation continues. In 1815, the statue was designed by Robert Mills, who also designed the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., with construction completed in 1829. Its 178-foot Doric column holds a ground-floor museum offering information about Washington as well as the monument's construction (when open). Once the renovation is completed, visitors will once again be able to climb the 228 steps to the top to enjoy an excellent view of the city from our historic neighborhood. [This birds-eye view of the top of the monument was actually taken by a drone plane that was fitted with cameras. Very unique!] The monument is constructed of white marble brought from Cockeysville, just north of the city, and consists of a low, rectangular base containing the museum, a plain, unfluted column, and Washington's standing figure on top. The scaffolding which currently encloses the monument is part of the $5.5 million plan to repair the pillar, remove mildew and moss, install new electrical and lighting systems, and refurbish the cast-iron fence which will be recast and repainted its original dark green. This month, as you may have noticed, the marble head and body of George Washington atop the monument has emerged from the scaffolding and all exterior renovations are expected to wrap up this month - ahead of schedule. While the official re-opening of the monument is planned for its bicentennial on the 4th of July, 2015, wrapping up the exterior renovation should allow for the annual Monument Lighting to occur in December. Though the monument has been closed since 2010 and has been hidden under scaffolding for the better part of a year, this will make its reopening that much more momentous. Better still, we get to see it all happen in real-time in our very own neighborhood!

Books Galore

There is both good news and bad news this weekend for residents of 520 Park . The good news, 19th annual Baltimore Book Festival is finally here! The bad news, it isn't right here as it usually is. Normally just around the corner, the Baltimore Book Festival has been relocated to the Inner Harbor this year due to the restoration of the historic Washington Monument on Charles Street, which the festival usually surrounds. It may be a few blocks farther away but it's still not an event to be missed. And, on the bright side, it will be easier to get around and park in the neighborhood this weekend. Head over to St. Paul St. and grab the free Charm City Circulator, which can drop you right across from the festival, centered around West Shore Park, Rash Field, and along Light Street and Key Highway. It runs from September 26th-28th, and will feature hundreds of appearances by local, celebrity and nationally known authors, book signings, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers. You'll also find almost-nonstop readings on multiple stages, poetry readings, workshops, panel discussions, walking tours, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, live music, and a delicious variety of food, beer and wine. The "Food for Thought" stage, will feature celebrity chefs and authors, delicious food demonstrations, recipes and cooking tips, including the Amazing Race's Beekman Boys with their cook book, 1802 Heirloom Vegetable Cookbook; Jillian Lagasse, The Gluten-Free Table; Wildly popular blogger-turned-cookbook author Jessica Merchant with her first hardcover, Seriously Delish; Food Network Star, Chloe Coscarelli, Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen; and Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Kathy Wakile, with her book, Indulge. Throughout the festival, you can find a delicious variety of international foods and beverages, including beer and wine, light fare, and snack options. To make it a thoroughly enjoyable event for everyone, there will also be tons of fun activities for children and their families, including the Enoch Pratt Children's Stage, the Charm City Comic Book Pavilion, and the Children's Craft Corridor (located near the West Shore Park). Even top area attractions participate with great programming and fun activities. Details and schedules can be found on the website or even through the official app for the 19th annual Baltimore Book Festival. Now that you've read this, go to the festival and find a great book to read!

Lexington Market Awaits

With all the wonderful benefits to city living, it's sometimes easy to forget just how great we have it here at 520 Park . We're so close to so many things but an often overlooked asset, and one that only a few areas offer, is a public market. Believe it or not, our beloved Lexington Market is one of the longest-running markets in the world, having been around since 1782! The main market is housed in two large buildings on the north corners of the intersection of Paca and Lexington Streets, housing small eateries and stands selling fish, produce, meat, baked goods, and candy. The market has always been on this site, though originally operated without sheds and stalls. Farmers would load up their horse drawn wagons with ham, butter, eggs and produce, traveling from Towson and Reisterstown to sell their goods at the market, usually starting at dawn. These days, the market is a Baltimore icon, as well as the source for so much great food. Having been the site of great eateries and stands for so long, it's also now common for the market to host live musical performances during lunch hours on Fridays and Saturdays, along with presentations from area schools. At various points during the year, you can also find special holiday events, health fairs, a Preakness Crab Derby, and even a fashion show. More recently, there have been efforts made toward updating the facilities, and the public has been asked to provide input for the estimated $20 million renovation that is in the works. This is all just in the planning stages so far, so it could be a while before the work will be started and completed. Next time you're thinking about where to grab a quick bite to eat, stop in to the market where you can find something to suit everyone's tastes. Or, if you're considering some dinner options to make at home, get inspired by the fresh meats, seafood, and produce, rather than sifting through prepackaged items at a mega-chain grocery store. Click here for a complete listing of the businesses in the market and to get a sense of the tremendous variety it has to offer. See you at the market! Lexington Market 400 W Lexington St Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 685-6169 lexingtonmarket.com

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

If you're looking for powerful historical and cultural perspectives, just a mile and a half from 520 Park is The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture - a museum which seeks to collect, preserve, interpret, document and exhibit the rich contributions of African American Marylanders from the state's earliest history to the present. The museum is dedicated to showing the struggles for self-determination made by African American Marylanders. Permanent exhibits include "The Strength of the Mind, Things Hold, Lines Connect" and "Building Maryland, Building America" with each focused on different facets and perspectives of Maryland African American history. There are also special and traveling exhibitions scheduled throughout the year, currently including For Whom It Stands - an exhibition highlighting Grace Wisher's contribution to the history of our flag and investigating the broader history and representation of the United States flag as an icon of our nation and its people. There is also a second exhibit - For Whom It Stands, TOO, which shows flag-related artwork resulting from an open call held by the museum with submissions from across the country. Additionally, there are ongoing signature programs including lectures, film screenings, genealogy workshops and a children's art series. The museum opened in 2005 and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. It is named for Reginald F. Lewis (1942-1993), a native Baltimore entrepreneur and philanthropist who served as chair and chief executive officer of the largest U.S. company owned by an African American during that time. The museum is open Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm (and on third Thursdays: 5pm - 8pm), Sunday noon-5pm. Admission is free for children 6 and under, $6 for students, $8 for general admission, $6 for seniors (65+) and free to Maryland public school teachers (with ID). Reginald F Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History 830 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202 (443) 263-1800 rflewismuseum.org Yelp review

Last Weekend for Baltimore Restaurant Week

Is there a particular restaurant you've been wanting to try? Or, maybe you'd like to try a new dish at an old favorite? Well, you still have a chance to catch Baltimore Restaurant Week in its final weekend for the summer, with locations near 520 Park and all around the city! The idea for Restaurant Week started back in 1992 in New York City, thought up by Tim Zagat and Joe Baum. If those names sound familiar, it's because Tim Zagat is the founder of Zagat Survey which covers restaurant guides in cities all over the world and Joe Baum was a top restaurateur, creating such famous dining rooms as Windows on the World and the Rainbow Room. Since 1992, however, the concept of Restaurant Week has spread across the country, to cities and states which participate in their own versions. While the events vary from place to place, the general concept is that local restaurants partner with local business organizations or chambers of commerce to promote a week of lunch and dinner specials. Restaurants offer reduced prices for a prix fixe menu, the idea being that what they lose in check averages they gain in sales volume and exposure to new customers. Baltimore's latest Restaurant Week will run until August 10th with prix-fixe, 3-course dinners for $20 or $30 (per person, not including drinks, tax, and tip) and 2-course lunches for $15. And, there are 78 restaurants to choose from! Just a few tips, make reservations to secure your preferred date and time and be aware that promotions and menus vary. When calling for a reservation, confirm the Restaurant Week promotion pricing and details. Click here for a list of participating locations, plus links for menus, reservations, ratings, maps and phone numbers. Now, get out and enjoy a meal at your favorite restaurant or explore some new ones. Bon appetit!