Mosaic Pieces
Welcome to the complete Maryland Mosaic.
The Mosaic is not presented chronologically but presents a randomized selection of Mosaic Pieces to spark your interest in a particular event or person. If you would like to have a more ordered chronological overview, use the six fixed time period options on the right of the screen to get a more immediate picture of an historical period. You can also explore by county or by category. Our predefined categories, tags, counties and chronological brackets will help you see links between the Pieces.
The collection has over 140 firsts, including events, people, places, objects, documents or buildings that are unique to Maryland and to the nation. The Mosaic is part of Maryland’s contribution to the U.S. 250th anniversary in 2026. It covers the period from 1776 to the present. You will find at least one Piece for every county and Baltimore City, making this a statewide project.
Enoch Pratt Free Library opens
In 1886 the Pratt Library is the first public library to open for all “without distinction of race or color”. The Pratt inspires the nationwide Carnegie Library system.
Elizabeth Seton, first person born in U.S. to become a saint
Elizabeth Ann Seton, born 1774, becomes first person born in US canonized as Catholic Saint in 1975.
Elizabeth Patterson of Baltimore marries Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother
Elizabeth Patterson marries Jerome Bonaparte, Napoleon’s youngest brother in 1803. She becomes first self-made female millionaire in US.
Edgar Allan Poe dies in Baltimore
Poet Edgar Allan Poe dies mysteriously in Baltimore in 1849. He is found on an election day, presumably drunk, taken to a hospital where he dies three days later. His monument and tomb are in downtown Baltimore.
Davidge Hall, College of Medicine, is the first building erected for medical education
Davidge Hall, built in 1813, is the oldest purpose-build medical building in the US, located at the Medical College of Maryland, the first public school of medicine.
David Acheson Woodward of the Maryland Institute invents a photographic enlarging camera.
David Acheson Woodward invents an enlarging camera in 1857 that focuses sunlight through a lens onto sensitized photographic paper. Woodward is principal of what becomes Maryland Institute College of Art. MICA produces two prominent Maryland artists, Joyce J. Scott and Amy Sherald.
Crisfield: Seafood Capital of the World
In 1904 with a population of 25,000 Crisfield becomes the second largest city in Maryland due to its marketing of the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay on newly created rail lines.
Cpt. John Rodgers fires first shot of War of 1812
Cpt. John Rodgers, born in Cecil County, commands frigate USS President and personally fires first shots of War of 1812.
Congressman Benjamin Harris prays on floor of the House for a Confederate victory
U.S. Representative Benjamin Harris, a pro-slavery advocate, is the only Congressman to pray for a Confederate victory on the House floor on July 4, 1863.
Columbia family is first to control its eco-friendly yard
A Columbia couple initiates a suit that becomes the first law in the country in 2023 that limits Homeowner Association’s control over eco-friendly yards.
College Park Airport is oldest continuously used airport
Wilbur Wright gives flying lessons at the College Park airstrip and civilian planes begin regular use. The airfield, opened in 1909, becomes the longest continuously used airport in the US. Photo shows a Wright airplane headed for reassembly after a crash.
Clara Barton volunteers as nurse in the Civil War.
Clara Barton, volunteer, goes to the front at Antietam battlefield in 1862, risking her life to treat the wounded with much success. After the War she founds the American Red Cross and settles in Glen Echo.
Claire McCardell, fashion designer of modern women’s sportwear
Fashion designer Claire McCardell, featured on the cover of Time in 1955, is the successful creator everyday easy-to-wear clothing for women.
City of Columbia
“Columbia, Maryland, is the best place to raise a family in the country.” Jim Rouse creates a carefully planned city for “joyous living” in 1967.
Chinese and Asian immigrants arrive
John O’Donnell brings the first Asian immigrants to the US in 1785 as sailors on his ship that carries a cargo of Chinese goods. His statue in O’Donnell Square has been recently removed.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge, longest single span bridge over water
When the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is built in 1952, it is the longest continuous steel span in the country.
