Hit Big With a Visit to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
Are you planning to see a game at Camden Yards? Plan to visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum while you’re there. Follow the 60 baseballs painted on the sidewalk—they will guide you from Camden Yards to the museum!
Named after baseball’s most well-known, larger-than-life figure, the museum hosts treasures and memorabilia worth seeing with your own eyes. You will learn a lot about the Babe, Baltimore, and your favorite hometown teams in an hour or two.
Some background on the Babe
Before we dive in and discuss all of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum’s offerings, let’s refresh ourselves with some history about Babe Ruth and the reason why there’s a museum named after him in Baltimore in the first place. Despite all the iconic and historic photos of The Babe wearing a Yankees jersey, he actually began his playing career in Baltimore. Born on February 6, 1895, Babe Ruth was born to Katherine and George Herman Ruth, Sr., in a row home on Baltimore’s Emory Street—the location of the Babe Ruth Museum. His paternal grandfather leased the row home.
The Babe was a little raucous as a kid and had what some call a tumultuous childhood growing up. He was enrolled at the St. Mary’s Industrial School for boys for a short time until he signed his first professional contract with the hometown Orioles in 1914. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox soon after, then sold to the New York Yankees in 1920. (This was when the superstition of the Curse of the Bambino began—after the Red Sox sold the Babe to the Yankees, they didn’t win a championship season for 86 years.)
Visiting the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
What can you expect to see at the Babe Ruth Museum? Well, it’s his birthplace, and you can see the room where he was born. Back in 1895, Emory Street was a rough neighborhood, and Babe was the son of a saloon keeper. Today, the museum features a collection of exhibits, including many artifacts, such as a catcher’s mitt he used as a youngster and his kimono. Many of Babe’s items were donated by his late sister. Remarkably, artifacts that belonged to the Ruth family were recovered during the digging of Camden Yards and were bestowed to the Babe Ruth Museum.
The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to perpetuating the historic legacy of The Babe, the Orioles, the Ravens, and the Colts, as well as other regional and collegiate sports, funds the museum. The Babe hit a total of 714 home runs, and the museum hosts an exhibit of those who have hit 500 or more home runs called “The 500 Home Run Club.” And while exhibits rotate and feature many different aspects of Babe and sports in Baltimore, you are guaranteed to hear compelling stories, see remarkable artifacts, and feel more connected to Baltimore’s trove of history during your visit.
While you’re in the area
There’s so much to do in the vibrant city of Baltimore. Head to Pigtown for craft beer, find delicious eateries throughout picturesque Hampden, check out kid-friendly museums, go on a hunt for the best burger in the city, or cool off with a classic Baltimore treat—snowballs!
Lead Photo: courtesy of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
About the Author
Stephanie Verni is an Adjunct Professor of Communication at Stevenson University and the author of seven novels. She has taught a variety of communication courses, and she especially loved teaching courses in travel writing. A true Marylander, she enjoys writing about the beauty of her state and incorporating Maryland locations into her books. When she's not writing, you can find her on her boat cruising the Severn River with her family. She's on Instagram at @stephanieverniwrites
