The Walters Art Museum is a free art museum at 600 N Charles St in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. Its collection spans about 5,500 years, from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman works to Asian art, medieval armor, Renaissance paintings and more recent pieces. The galleries occupy three buildings, including Hackerman House, an 1850s townhouse devoted to Asian art. Pick up a layout guide at the information desk, then allow time to explore the four floors and look for displays such as the Chamber of Wonders and Paws on Parchment.
A collection across centuries and cultures
The Walters Art Museum grew from collections assembled by William Walters and his son Henry. Henry left the collection to the City of Baltimore, and the museum opened to the public in 1934. Today, its holdings span roughly 5,500 years, from ancient works to modern art.
The galleries bring together objects from many regions and periods. You can encounter Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, Asian collections, medieval works and armor, Renaissance and Baroque pieces, jewelry, manuscripts and European paintings. The range makes it possible to move between very different kinds of art during one visit, rather than following a single period or medium.
Three buildings, including Hackerman House
The museum occupies three buildings in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. One is Hackerman House, a Greek Revival townhouse built in the 1850s. It now houses Asian art, with works from China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. The collection includes ceramics, lacquer, metalwork and arms and armor.
Across the museum, displays include objects as varied as Egyptian mummies, Greek sculpture, Roman sarcophagi, medieval ivories, illuminated manuscripts, jewelry and paintings. The Chamber of Wonders recreates the library of an imagined 17th-century scholar. Nearby, the Hall of Arms and Armor presents medieval weaponry. The museum’s displays also include Fabergé eggs and works by European painters.
Planning your visit
The collection is large enough that a quick walk through the galleries can leave much unseen. The museum spans four floors, and the buildings and galleries can take some planning to explore. Ask at the information desk for guidance on the layout and available materials before setting off. Cards describing selected artworks, with approximate locations, can also help you choose what to find.
Admission is free. The museum has a café, a gift shop and a family activities and arts center on the lower level. Family programs and activities are also available; drop-in art-making is listed for Saturdays and Sundays. Guided tours and tours for visitors with visual impairments are among the museum’s services, so check current details if you want to include one.
The museum is at 600 N Charles St. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Its Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 am to 5 pm, and Thursday hours are 1 to 8 pm. Check the museum’s website for current exhibition and visit information before you go.
Perguntas frequentes
Is admission to the Walters Art Museum free?
Yes. Admission is free.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Allow at least a few hours. The collection spans four floors and three buildings, and some visitors spend several hours exploring.
What can you see at the Walters Art Museum?
The collection includes ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, Asian works, medieval armor, Renaissance and Baroque art, jewelry, manuscripts and paintings.
Where is the Walters Art Museum?
It is at 600 N Charles St in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood.
