Hello Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland, located on the Chesapeake Bay, has a rich and varied history that spans several centuries. The city has played an important role in American history, from the colonial era to the modern day.

Before its founding, the area that would become Baltimore was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Susquehannock and the Lenape. The first European explorers to reach the area were John Cabot and Giovanni da Verrazzano in the early 16th century.

In the late 17th century, a group of English colonists, led by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, founded the colony of Maryland. The city of Baltimore was officially established in 1729, named after Lord Baltimore.

Baltimore quickly became a major center of commerce and industry, thanks to its strategic location on the Chesapeake Bay. The city played an important role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. During the latter conflict, Baltimore successfully defended itself against British attack, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner".

In the 19th century, Baltimore became a major industrial center, with thriving industries in manufacturing, shipping, and finance. The city was also an important center of African American history and culture, with influential figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman making their mark.

The 20th century brought challenges to Baltimore, including economic decline and well-publicized social unrest. However, the city has since undergone a revitalization, with renewed investment in downtown development and efforts to preserve and celebrate its unique history and culture.

Today, Baltimore remains a vibrant city with a diverse population and a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as the USS Constellation, the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, and the Washington Monument. The city is also known for its delicious cuisine, lively music scene, and beautiful architecture.

In summary, Baltimore, Maryland has a deep and varied history that has contributed significantly to American culture and identity. From its colonial beginnings to its modern-day revitalization, Baltimore remains an important city that continues to inspire and captivate visitors.

Baltimore, Maryland is home to a wealth of historic buildings, many of which are celebrated for their architectural beauty and cultural significance. From the Maryland State House to the USS Constellation, the city's historic landmarks are a testament to its rich and complicated history. Here we provide some of the most important historic buildings in Baltimore, along with a brief summary of each building's history, location, and architecture:

1. Washington Monument
The Washington Monument in Baltimore is a 178-foot tall marble obelisk that was completed in 1829. It honors the first President of the United States and is the first monument dedicated to him.

2. Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum
The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is located in the historic district of Baltimore and is the former home of the famous writer. Poe lived in the house from 1833 to 1835 and wrote some of his most famous works there. In 2020, our sister organization, The Durable Restoration Company, finished some repair work in time for Poe's 211th birthday.

3. The Baltimore Basilica
Also known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this stunning church is located in downtown Baltimore. Completed in 1821, it is the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States and features beautiful neoclassical architecture.

4. USS Constellation
Definitely not a roof, the USS Constellation is a sloop-of-war that was commissioned in 1855 and is now a museum ship located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The ship played an important role in the Civil War and is the last all-sail warship built by the United States Navy.

5. Fort McHenry
Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry played a significant role in the War of 1812. The fort successfully defended Baltimore against a British attack, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".

6. Johns Hopkins Hospital
Founded in 1889, Johns Hopkins Hospital is one of the most renowned medical institutions in the world. The building's architecture features a blend of Georgian and modern styles.

7. Baltimore City Hall
Built in 1867, Baltimore City Hall is located in the heart of downtown and features stunning French Renaissance architecture. The building is home to the city's government offices.

8. B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum is located in Baltimore's historic Mount Clare neighborhood and features a collection of historic trains and exhibits about the history of American railroads. The building itself is a beautiful example of industrial architecture.

9. The Peale Center
The Peale Center, located in Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, is the oldest museum building in the United States. Originally constructed in 1814, the building has served many purposes over the years, including as a museum, theater, and library.

Obviously then, "Charm City" is home to many historic buildings that have played a significant role in the city's rich cultural heritage. From museums to churches, hospitals to government buildings, Baltimore's architecture is diverse and stunning, reflecting its unique history and identity.

Baltimore, Maryland is a city with a rich architectural history, and one of the most notable features of its buildings is the use of natural roofing materials. In particular, slate, clay-tile, and copper are commonly used for roofing and gutters. These materials have been used for centuries and continue to be popular today, thanks to their durability, beauty, and eco-friendliness.

One of the primary advantages of using natural roofing materials like slate is their durability. Unlike synthetic materials, natural materials like slate can withstand extreme weather conditions, including hail, high winds, and heavy rain. This is particularly important for a city like Baltimore, which experiences a range of weather conditions throughout the year. With its location on the Chesapeake Bay, the city is also prone to high humidity and saltwater exposure, which can cause corrosion and damage to less-durable roofing materials.

Another benefit of natural roofing materials is their beauty. Slate and clay-tile roofs are particularly popular in historic neighborhoods like Mount Vernon and Fells Point, where their timeless appeal adds to the charm (Charm City?) of the area. These come in a range of colors, from deep blues and grays to warm browns and reds, allowing homeowners and builders to create unique and attractive roofs.

Besides stone and ceramic, copper remains a premium material for roofing and gutters throughout Baltimore. In addition to its beauty, copper is known for its durability and resistance to corrosion, making it an ideal choice for buildings near the water. Check that patina.

There are several notable Baltimore buildings with slate and historic roofs. These include:

1. The Maryland Club - Located in the heart of Mount Vernon, The Maryland Club is a historic building with a slate roof. The building was originally built in 1857 and has since been updated, but the slate roof remains a defining feature of the building's exterior.

2. The Peabody Institute - Built in 1857, the Peabody Institute is a stunning example of Italianate architecture. The building features a slate roof, which has been well-maintained over the years to preserve its beauty and functionality.

3. The Walters Art Museum - Originally built as a mansion in 1854, The Walters Art Museum is now a public museum featuring a collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The building's slate roof has been well-maintained over the years, helping to protect the artwork inside.

4. The Johns Hopkins Club - The Johns Hopkins Club is a historic building on the campus of Johns Hopkins University. The building features a beautiful slate roof, which adds to the elegance of the building's exterior.

In conclusion, natural roofing materials like slate, clay-tile, and copper are an important part of Baltimore's architectural heritage. These materials offer durability, beauty, and eco-friendliness, making them an ideal choice for buildings in the city. From historic mansions to public museums, natural roofing materials can be seen throughout Baltimore, adding to the charm and character of the city's buildings.

The Durable Slate Company provides slate roof repair, installation, and restoration services world-wide. We began humbly as a small slate roofing company in Columbus, Ohio, and through a mastery of historic repair methods and a focus on exceptional customer service, we have grown to become one of the largest slate roofing companies in the United States with offices located throughout Ohio and Maryland, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, OH, and Savage, MD.

Thanks in no small part to our extensive repair experience and history, The Durable Slate Company is able to handle any slate roof repair or installation of any size on any kind of building.

And with such a large stock of reclaimed slate in America, we can match most original slate for an exceptionally seamless repair or full roof replacement. If your slate roof has been damaged by fire, wind, storm, other forces of nature, or just requires a bit of upkeep, you can be confident in The Durable Slate Company for your slate roof repair needs.

Reclaimed slate can also be great for new installations, allowing a wonderfully aged and classic look, without having to wait a century. Likewise, if an antique roof’s slate shingles are in good condition, it is often possible to install new underlayment and copper flashing, preserving the original slate, and matching damaged tiles from our reclaimed slate stores.

A thorough evaluation by a professional is provided by The Durable Slate Company at no additional cost to you to determine what is best for your slate roof.

For installations with new slate, we prefer to install only the highest quality time-tested slates from the quarries of the Vermont Slate Valley, Virginia Buckingham, Southeastern Canada, Wales, and certain select European quarries. The combination of high quality slate, expert flashing design and installation, correct soldering, necessary underlayments for the conditions, and proper slate laying and fastening produces an aesthetic, long lasting roof that should have a serviceable life of 100 years or longer.

Cutting corners on any one of these factors can shorten the life span of a slate roof from a century to a few years or less. We have replaced numerous slate roofs that were less than 10 years old because an essential craft was neglected.
Though quite beautiful, many imported slates are of such poor quality that they start rusting and falling apart within only a few years of installation.

A high quality slate is essential.