Urban Discoveries Baltimore

Look back in ambivalence, Baltimore. This is a good week for self-conscious celebration of heritage. People will be recollecting all over town, so take notes:

The exhaustively named Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Harbor East (830 E. Pratt Street) presents historian Colleen Aycock, co-author of Joe Gans: A Biography of the first African American World Boxing Champion. Gans, perhaps the best lightweight boxer of all time, was born and buried in Baltimore and is still referred to as “Old Master.” Learn more about him from Ms. Aycock this Saturday, August 1, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The lecture is free with admission to the museum, which will run you $8.

Also on August 1, Baltimore Ghost Tours debuts the newest extension of their historical rubbernecking service: the Mount Vernon Ghostwalk. All right, this one gives me a funny feeling in my conscience, but some people just love ghost tours (“some people” here includes my girlfriend). And as haunted cities go, Baltimore’s a fair one. Home to sailors, soldiers, writers, and mobs, the Monument City has plenty of secrets. Maybe you’ll learn a few. Show up at 6:45 p.m. at the Owl Bar inside the Belvedere in Mount Vernon (1 E. Chase Street). The walk will cost you $15 and your kids $10 each. Spookily, they only take cash.

The Jewish Museum of Maryland in the Inner Harbor (15 Lloyd Street) is hosting Brews and Schmooze with J.T. Waldman, author of the splendid-even-if-you’re-not-Jewish Megillat Esther, a graphic presentation of the Book of Esther. $5 gets you a talk by Mr. Waldman, a falafel sandwich, and a beer. Which, all art aside, is a pretty good deal. Make your reservation with Ilene Dackman-Alon; the schmoozing will occur on Wednesday, August 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where will you go this week to learn about your past or someone else’s?

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