10 Unusual and Creepy Places in Baltimore

Edgar Allan Poe’s grave attracts those looking to pay their respects to the 19^th-century author, who’s famous for literary works like The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Pit and the Pendulum. Poe passed away in 1849, and the actual cause of his death remains a mystery to this day.

Although he was originally buried in an unmarked grave, it took years of effort to finally place his gravestone on the southeast corner of Fayette and Greene Streets. Every year, an unidentified person leaves 3 roses and a half-bottle of scotch on Edgar Allan Poe’s grave on his birthday.  

The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death are the work of Frances Glessner Lee, a renowned American forensic scientist (1878–1962). These 18 dollhouse-style dioramas are based on actual crime scenes from the 1930s and 1940s. Each display has intricate details such as miniature corpses in macabre positions, bullet holes, and dishevelled living spaces.

Scenes include a man who died by a gunshot wound, a farmer hanging in a barn, and the decomposed body of a woman in a pink bathroom. The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death is part of the Chief Medical Examiner's Office of Baltimore, which also houses the equally morbid Scarpetta House.

Elijah Bond’s gravestone is located in Baltimore’s Green Mount Cemetery. It stands out from most tombstones because it’s designed like his 1891 patented invention – the Ouija board.

The man, who passed away in 1921, was actually buried in an unmarked grave before a noted paranormal enthusiast found its exact location in 2007. Volunteers banded together to provide this memorable headstone, bearing Bond’s full name, birth and death dates on one side, with features of an Ouija board on the other.

The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is an excellent place to learn about dentistry. It’s located in the University of Maryland, which is also home of The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery – the first dental school in the USA. Over 40,000 objects are on display at the National Museum of Dentistry.

Popular exhibits include ancient dental chairs, forceps and extractors (which were used on patients without anaesthesia), George Washington's lower denture (made of ivory and gold), and the only tooth jukebox in the world. An interactive station called Food for Thought is a great way for kids to learn about the types of food that cause tooth decay.

Ministry of Brewing occupies the former St. Michael’s Church on East Lombard Street in Baltimore. It’s quite a sight – you’ll find a 20-barrel brewing system occupying the altar, beerhall-style tables, and a lounge beneath the choir loft. Many original parts of the church have been restored, including the organ, stained-glass windows, and the fresco of Jesus Christ on the ceiling.

The 250-seat brewery offers plenty of drinks on tap, such as classic lagers and IPAs, along with seasonal offerings. Must-tries include the Chesapeake Cider (hard cider), Boujie (chocolate Stout), and 754 (West Coast IPA).

Davidge Hall dates back to the early 19^th century, making it one of the oldest anatomical theatres in the USA. Located in the University of Maryland, the 3-storey building is made up of 2 superimposed amphitheatres, a circular dome with a massive skylight in its centre, timber-and-steel construction, and red brick walls.

Although the building was built in 1812, it was only officially named as Davidge Hall in 1958. Besides the amphitheatres, you can find a collection of antique medical instruments and pay a visit to Hermie, a mummified human body.