Evergreen Museum & Library is a Gilded Age mansion at 4545 N Charles St in Baltimore, once home to the Garrett family. A guided tour takes you through rooms filled with fine and decorative art, rare books and manuscripts, including Tiffany glass, Asian ceramics and European paintings. Look for the full-height Corinthian portico, the richly colored theater painted by Léon Bakst and the wood-paneled library. You can also explore the gardens and wooded grounds around the house; seasonal events add another reason to plan a visit.
A Garrett family home in Baltimore
Evergreen is a historic house museum and research library in Baltimore, now part of Johns Hopkins University’s museum system. The Italianate country house was built in 1857 and 1858. John W. Garrett, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, bought it in 1878 for his son Thomas. The Garrett family lived at the estate from 1878 to 1942.
The mansion gives visitors a view of upper-class Baltimore life in the 19th century. Its 48 rooms and extensive collection reflect the family’s interests in art, books and decorative objects. The house also connects the estate to the region’s railroad history through John W. Garrett’s role at the B&O Railroad.
Rooms, art and the library
The collection includes fine and decorative art, rare books and manuscripts. Look for American art glass, including work by Louis Comfort Tiffany, European paintings and Asian ceramics. The holdings also include paintings by Picasso and Zelda Fitzgerald. The range of objects makes the house as much a place to explore the Garretts’ collections as to see the architecture.
The library is one of the mansion’s distinctive rooms, with wood-paneled walls and a substantial collection of books. A guided tour is required to see the interiors, including the library. Guides share the history of the house and family as you move through the rooms, and the tour format allows time to look closely at the objects and architectural details.
The house’s design includes a full-height Corinthian portico. Inside, the richly colored theater painted by Léon Bakst, known for his work with the Ballets Russes, is another notable room. The vivid colors and detailed interiors make the house worth seeing beyond its art collection.
Gardens and grounds
The estate covers 26 acres of gardens and wooded grounds, which you can explore without taking the interior tour. The landscape includes Italian-style gardens and paths around the historic house. Some former structures no longer stand, though foundation remains can be seen in places.
The grounds offer a quieter way to spend time at Evergreen and a different view of the property from the rooms inside. Seasonal events and exhibitions add variety to the museum’s program; past events have included displays of Tiffany glass. Check the current schedule if you want to include a special program in your visit.
Planning an interior visit
Because access to the mansion and library is by guided tour, book ahead and confirm the current tour arrangements before setting out. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed on Monday. Photography is restricted in some areas, so ask about the rules before taking pictures inside.
Johns Hopkins students can ask whether book rentals are available while visiting. If photography is a priority, the grounds are a useful part of the visit too; the light near sunset can suit outdoor pictures. Seasonal events may shape what is on view, so check the museum’s calendar when planning your day.
Perguntas frequentes
Do you need a guided tour to see the mansion?
Yes. Access to the mansion and the John Work Garrett Library is by guided tour. The grounds can be explored without an interior tour.
Can you visit the gardens without taking a tour?
Yes. The 26 acres of gardens and wooded grounds are open to explore without touring the mansion.
Are tickets recommended in advance?
Yes. The museum recommends getting tickets in advance for a visit.
Can you take photographs inside Evergreen?
Photography is restricted in some sections. Ask about the rules before taking pictures.
