The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center was a statewide organization with an exhibit and meeting space in the historic Marian House/Woman’s Industrial Exchange (WIE) building located at 333 N. Charles Street in Baltimore’s historic Mt. Vernon neighborhood.

Founded in 1880, WIE helped craftswomen discreetly earn a living and operated there in various forms until June, 2020. Both the building’s current owner, Marian House, and MWHC served women. MWHC worked to carry WIE’s spirit into the future.

Our venue honored the unique stories of Maryland’s women and their contributions to the past, present and future. It was the first comprehensive state center of its kind in the nation. We recognized that part of our charge was to help preserve this building’s heritage.

The site included:

• A Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame exhibit
• Stories about the strength and innovations of Maryland Women starting from 1600s St. Mary’s County landowner Margaret Brent who asked the Maryland legislature for the right to vote to the present time
• Exhibits that included at various times Maryland Valiant Women: The Fight for Suffrage Maryland Unsung Heroines, Maryland Women in STEM and Images and Expressions: Maryland Women in the Arts
• Memorabilia about Maryland suffragists whose passion and bravery has only recently come to light
• Other permanent and changing exhibits about the achievements and contributions of Maryland women
• A meeting and small event space where visitors were surrounded by stories of amazing Maryland women