Opens Friday, April 11 after Media “Sneak-Peek” Thursday, April 10, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
(April 10, 2008) – What do your son’s basketball game, your daughter’s music recital, the paper (or monitor) you’re reading this on, the food you eat, the beverages you drink – and for that matter, your prosperity and quality of life – have in common?
They all depend on Maryland’s highway and transportation system, for one thing. For another, that system is one that virtually all of Maryland’s traveling public thinks about rarely if at all.
This is about to change, thanks to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and its State Highway Administration. Beginning Friday, April 11, the public is invited to view an exhibit that explores the century of modern road building that has made Maryland the home of one of the most heralded highway systems in the nation. The exhibit opens this week at the Baltimore Museum of Industry and will be on display throughout 2008.
“This display, and our entire Centennial effort, celebrates the vision and commitment of those men and women who came before us to create the road system we use today,” said Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari. “As a result of their actions, Marylanders enjoy a world class highway system that helps drive our economy and our quality of life. I urge everyone to visit this exhibit so they can learn about, and appreciate, this important chapter in our State’s history.”
The exhibit displays scores of historic photos culled from thousands taken over the course of the last century, artfully arranged on a 72-foot mural. The photos show the progress of Maryland’s road system from the time of the very first “interstate highway” (the National Road, commissioned by federal legislation signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1806, and now known – at least in part – as Route 40) to today’s modern highway system. While the exhibit gives a nod to Maryland’s roads prior to the 20th century, the main focus is on the development of Maryland’s modern road system as it has developed over the course of the last 100 years.
“100 Years of Modern Road Building” also features artifacts that have been preserved through the efforts of the State Highway Administration’s Cultural Resources Department. Additionally, there is a video presentation filled with rarely seen film footage of Maryland’s highways in various stages of construction, as well as interviews with some of the state’s transportation movers and shakers of the last 50 years.
The purpose of the year-long anniversary celebration is to promote safety among drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians throughout the state, as well as the value of our modern transportation system.
The Maryland Highway Centennial Executive Committee, Chaired by John D. Porcari, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary, and former Governor Harry Hughes, Honorary Centennial Chairman, is spearheading the effort to highlight the 100th Anniversary of the Maryland State Roads Commission. Partners in the effort include MDOT, the State Highway Administration, the Maryland Transportation Authority, The Federal Highway Administration, the Maryland Quality Initiative and Maryland Public Television.
The timing of the centennial celebration is based on the founding of the State Roads Commission in 1908, an organization that evolved into the State Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority under the newly formed Maryland Department of Transportation in 1970. The exhibit is co-sponsored by a number of firms in private industry, many which have been longtime partners in the road-building industry.
The exhibit complements a commemorative centennial book and television documentary, both scheduled for release later in 2008.
Major sponsors include GMPT Baltimore Transmission, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, URS Corporation, Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life, KCI Technologies, Whitney Bailey Cox & Magnani (WBCM), National Capital Industries, David A. Bramble, Inc. and Reliable Contracting,
The Baltimore Museum of Industry is a private, non-profit educational institution dedicated to exhibits and educational programs about the unique histories of Maryland’s industries and the stories of people who made them work. The museum has been recognized as the “Best Up-And-Coming Museum” by Baltimore Magazine, as well as City Paper’s award for “Best Non-Art Museum.” The BMI has also been awarded the prestigious Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits.
The State Highway Administration is reminding motorists throughout the year of its continuing commitment to customer safety and satisfaction. The centennial celebration’s theme, “Customer driven, now more than ever,” will be underscored by a variety of safety messages under the banner of “Choose safety. Live to be 100 like we are.”
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