Presented by UMB Council for the Arts & Culture
Stop 20
Just north of Davidge Hall and the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is Westminster Hall and Burying Ground, a historic site established in 1786. The graveyard is the final resting place of several notable individuals, including famed author Edgar Allan Poe. In 1852, Westminster Presbyterian Church was constructed over the graveyard, creating unique catacombs.
Now known as Westminster Hall, the site is used for events and maintained by the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. The stunning building also houses a remarkable 1882 Johnson pipe organ. This historic instrument features more than 1,300 working pipes, most of which are concealed from view. The organ has been meticulously restored and is showcased during events such as the UMB Employee Recognition and Service Awards Luncheon and the “Lunch Under the Pipes” concert series, which is open to the UMB community and the public. Notably, the Organ Historical Society convention has featured performances on this distinguished organ, highlighting its significance in Baltimore’s rich musical heritage.