In honor of National Preservation Month, we’re sharing the history and stories behind some of Maryland’s iconic structures and hidden historic gems.
Originally a movie theater constructed in 1912 called Schanze’s Theater, the building that is now the Arch Social Club went through several iterations before being purchased by the Arch Social Club. At the start, it was a movie house and vaudeville with a dance hall on the second floor. By 1938, it had been renovated and reopened as the Morgan Theatre. Two years later, it was renamed the Uptown Theatre, now catering to an African American audience. However, this lasted only a year before a new owner changed the name to Cinema Theatre and began showing movies in Yiddish. In July 1946, new owners changed the name once again to Morgan Theatre and once again began showing movies to an African American audience. A fire closed the theater in 1949. It was remodeled into an arcade briefly before becoming Wilson’s restaurant. Finally, in 1972, it became the Arch Social Club, a social club for African American men, gathering since 1905.
The club, while allowing men to cut loose with alcohol, cards, and music, did more for the community than just entertain. The founders established the first insurance company in Maryland for African Americans, members opened a hospital for the community during segregation, and the members fought for bus services in Black neighborhoods. This group fought to protect their community and provide support that hadn’t been previously available. In the 1950s, the club was a meeting place for prominent civil rights leaders like Thurgood Marshall, Clarence and Juanita Mitchell, and Charles Hamilton Houston. They also hosted performances by Billie Holiday, Cyrus Chestnut, and Tupac Shakur, among others.
In more recent years, the building had fallen into disrepair. The club partnered with Neighborhood Design Center to restore the roof and have a historic structure report prepared so they could plan further renovations. They joined the Pennsylvania Avenue. Community Benefits Coalition, meant to revitalize the area and increased the promotion of events, received assistance in applying for grants, and worked to create a long-term support network.
Black Arts District
In 2019, the Black Arts District was officially created in Baltimore. The area, once a thriving entertainment area, had been disrupted by blockbusting, redlining, and racially restrictive covenants. The official designation protects the area and prioritizes a “non-displacement, community-centered framework.” Their goal, as said on the Black Arts District website, is to “amplify the voices of underrepresented artists, spark meaningful conversations, and foster a sense of belonging and pride.” This is just one of the many historically Black businesses that line the streets. Nearby, there are Shake and Bake Family Fun Center (a bowling alley/skating rink), Everyone’s Place (a bookstore and African Cultural Center), and The Avenue Bakery. Baltimore National Heritage Area offers a guided tour of the area.
For the Arch Social Club, preservation has been a continued effort. In 2018, with the help of public votes, the Arch Social Club won the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express “Vote Your Main Street” competition, earning $110,000 in funding to create a historically appropriate marquee and facade lighting.