The Baltimore Museum of Industry announced Monday that it will collect artifacts related to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse as part of a community collection initiative.
The Key Bridge, which collapsed in the early hours of March 26, has since sent a ripple effect throughout the Port of Baltimore.
Now, the BMI is looking to document the bridge’s “collapse, ongoing recovery efforts, eventual reconstruction, and its lasting symbolic impact.”
The BMI hopes to create a permanent collection of artifacts that can be used for research and future exhibitions.
Artifacts the BMI is accepting include personal items/clothing; photos and videos; materials representing organizations; and flyers, posters or other paper materials. The BMI is offering to digitize paper records and return the originals if desired.
“It’s important from a collections perspective that the museum hear from the community members who have been most affected by this tragic event. We know that much of the work being done on and around the bridge and Port are by workers who often go unseen. We want to change that narrative– those are the people we want to hear from,” said Rachel Donaldson, Curator of Collections & Exhibitions at the BMI, in a statement.
Any materials related to workers or their communities; immigration and migration; or the production and distribution of goods are welcome for donations to the BMI.
