Baltimore City Archives

**Authority** The Baltimore City Archives (BCA) is designated by the Maryland State Archives as a local archives pursuant to [COMAR 14.18.03.](https://dsd.maryland.gov/Pages/COMARSearch.aspx#Default=%7B%22k%22%3A%22%22%2C%22r%22%3A%5B%7B%22n%22%3A%22dsdFullTitleName%22%2C%22t%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22%C7%82%C7%82737472696e673b233134202d20496e646570656e64656e74204167656e63696573%5C%22%22%5D%2C%22o%22%3A%22and%22%2C%22k%22%3Afalse%2C%22m%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22n%22%3A%22dsdFullSubtitleName%22%2C%22t%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22%C7%82%C7%82737472696e673b233138202d205354415445204152434849564553%5C%22%22%5D%2C%22o%22%3A%22and%22%2C%22k%22%3Afalse%2C%22m%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22n%22%3A%22dsdFullChapterName%22%2C%22t%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22%C7%82%C7%82737472696e673b233033202d204c6f63616c204172636869766573%5C%22%22%5D%2C%22o%22%3A%22and%22%2C%22k%22%3Afalse%2C%22m%22%3Anull%7D%5D%2C%22l%22%3A1033%7D) The function and purpose of the City Archives and Records Management Center are described in [Baltimore City Charter](https://legislativereference.baltimorecity.gov/city-codes) (Article VII, § 93 (ii)) as part of the Department of Legislative Reference. [Baltimore City Code](https://legislativereference.baltimorecity.gov/city-codes) (Article 1, § 10) also describes records management mandates for all City agencies, with the goal of responsible stewardship of both [non-permanent](https://msa.maryland.gov/bca/about-3/index.html#retention) City records and [records of enduring historical value.](https://msa.maryland.gov/bca/about-3/index.html#retention) Since 2010, BCA has been co-administered by the City's [Department of Legislative Reference](https://legislativereference.baltimorecity.gov/) and the [Maryland State Archives](https://msa.maryland.gov/) under an intergovernmental agreement. Key staff include: - Ben Guthorn, Director of Legislative Reference - Rob Schoeberlein, PhD, City Archivist - Carey Stumm, City Records Management Officer - Jeni Spamer, Deputy City Archivist **Mission** The mission of the Baltimore City Archives is to collect and preserve the [administrative records of Baltimore City government](https://msa.maryland.gov/bca/about-3/index.html#definition) that have enduring historical value, and make them accessible to the public. The mission of the City Records Management Program is to organize and supervise the overall management of City government records, including determining their appropriate [retention](https://msa.maryland.gov/bca/about-3/index.html#retention), storage, and disposition. **Collection Policy** The Baltimore City Archives (BCA) collections consist primarily of the official records of City agencies, departments, bureaus, divisions, and officials, as created in the transaction of public business. The BCA does not collect general historical items relating to Baltimore City history, privately-owned properties within City limits, private organizations, or individual citizens, unless they intersect with City government business. [Donations of general historical materials about Baltimore City or Baltimoreans are referred to other local archives or museums](https://msa.maryland.gov/bca/about-3/index.html#donations). Examples of non-City government records that may fall within our collecting policy include: - Personal papers of an individual who was an employee of Baltimore City government, especially when the material relates directly to the work they performed, such as the papers of a former City Council member that contain materials relating to Council business or the person's political career. - Records of an organization that has a history of partnering with the City, such as the records of a private not-for-profit entity that received support from the City, or was at one time a City agency that became a quasi-governmental entity. - Photographs or publications that include subjects relevant to City government affairs, such as City officials and employees, departmental activities, City-sponsored special events, or City-owned buildings.