Carroll Baldwin Hall

Carroll Baldwin Hall’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Carroll Baldwin Memorial Institute (CBMI), steward of Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage, Maryland, recommits to ensuring that the Hall is available “for the welfare and happiness of the whole community,” as originally chartered in 1922.

We recognize that the Savage of 1922, and the country overall, looked and felt much different than it does today. One hundred years ago, Savage was a largely white community with nearly all residents affiliated with the Savage Manufacturing Company at Savage Mill. We acknowledge that discriminatory and racist practices did regrettably occur within the community, and were likely reflected in the community's use of the Hall. Specifically, in the 1950s the Hall hosted minstrel shows with characters performing in Blackface. While actions like these were not exclusive to our community, we recognize that such practices caused pain for persons of color and were not in keeping with the mission of the Hall as a welcoming space for the entire community. All Savage residents deserve to feel like they belong and are valued members of the community.

The Savage of today is a markedly changed community, characterized by a colorful diversity of faith, race, ethnicity, genders, and other identities. Reflecting this, the revitalized Carroll Baldwin Hall hosts and holds a variety of events and activities aimed to be inclusive of all, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical abilities, socioeconomic status, national origin, veteran status, and other areas of difference. The Hall serves as a venue for people to gather for purposes ranging from religious services to weddings, from quinceañeras to community association meetings, from community theater to classes. CBMI is committed to continuing to broaden the use of the Hall as a welcoming and inclusive space, a place for all Savage residents, neighbors, friends, and families to feel a sense of community and belonging.

CBMI encourages Savage residents of all faiths, races, ethnicities, gender, and sexual orientations to participate on the CBMI Board of Directors and Committees as well as in Hall activities. Including the voices of all Savage residents will better enable CBMI to achieve the goal of a fully inclusive and welcoming Carroll Baldwin Hall.

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