The Baltimore Civil War Museum, housed in the historic President Street Station, marks the site of the Civil War’s first bloodshed. On April 19, 1861, Union troops passing through Baltimore clashed with Confederate sympathizers in the Pratt Street Riot, resulting in the first casualties of the war.

The museum explores Maryland’s divided loyalties, the Underground Railroad, and Baltimore’s strategic role as a border city. Through artifacts, documents, and interactive exhibits, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the city’s turbulent past and its significance in shaping the war’s early days. Situated along the Heritage Walk, it offers a powerful, localized perspective on a national conflict.