The Inner Harbor is actually the end of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River and includes any water west of a line drawn between the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Rusty Scupper restaurant.
While Baltimore has been a major U.S. seaport since the 1700s, the historically shallow water of the Inner Harbor was not conducive to large ships or heavy industry, most of which was concentrated in Locust Point, Fell's Point, and Canton. The Inner Harbor was chiefly a light freight commercial port and passenger port until the 1950s, when economic shifts ended both the freight and passenger use. Rotting warehouses and piers were eventually torn down and replaced by open, grass-covered parkland that was used for recreational purposes and occasional large events, such as city fairs and the significant 1976 bicentennial visit of tall ships. This initial renewal of the harbor area and its continued transformation into a major cultural and economic area of the city was spearheaded by Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer. Harborplace, the waterfront festival marketplace, officially opened on July 1, 1980. Since being reincarnated as a cultural hub, the Inner Harbor has become the home to many tourist attractions. The two anchor attractions, in addition to Harborplace, are the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Maryland Science Center.
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The National Aquarium in Baltimore, at 501 East Pratt Street on Pier 3 of the Inner Harbor, is the most visited attraction in Maryland, with an an annual attendance of 1.5 million to see its collection of approximately 16,500 specimens and more than 660 species of animals. Constructed during a period of urban renewal, the aquarium opened n 1981. It consists of two buildings joined by a single enclosed walkway/bridge. The larger building, designed by Massachusetts-based Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., under the architectural direction of Peter Chermayeff, contains the main gallery, which overlooks a pool occupied by rays, tarpon, and a green sea turtle. The gallery begins with a series of upward spiraling floors connected by long escalators, featuring fish from Maryland, up to a rainforest habitat inside a 64-foot high glass pyramid. At the top of this spiral is the aforementioned rainforest exhibit, which contains several animals found in the Amazon Rainforest. A downward spiral exits back to the main gallery, surrounded by an Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit and a shark tank. The smaller building, added in 1990, features the marine mammal display and a dolphinarium.
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The National Aquarium in Baltimore, at 501 East Pratt Street on Pier 3 of the Inner Harbor, is the most visited attraction in Maryland, with an an annual attendance of 1.5 million to see its collection of approximately 16,500 specimens and more than 660 species of animals. Constructed during a period of urban renewal, the aquarium opened n 1981. It consists of two buildings joined by a single enclosed walkway/bridge. The larger building, designed by Massachusetts-based Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., under the architectural direction of Peter Chermayeff, contains the main gallery, which overlooks a pool occupied by rays, tarpon, and a green sea turtle. The gallery begins with a series of upward spiraling floors connected by long escalators, featuring fish from Maryland, up to a rainforest habitat inside a 64-foot high glass pyramid. At the top of this spiral is the aforementioned rainforest exhibit, which contains several animals found in the Amazon Rainforest. A downward spiral exits back to the main gallery, surrounded by an Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit and a shark tank. The smaller building, added in 1990, features the marine mammal display and a dolphinarium.
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The William Donald Scahefer Promenade Fountain, also known as Dolphins and the Dolphin Fountain, sits outside the National Aquarium of Baltimore on Pier 3 of the Inner Harbor. Dedicated on May 29, 1991, Leonard Streckfas' sculpture of five abstract dolphins sit in a triangular pool designed by Donald F. Hilberbrandt. The bronze dolphins are cast from assemblages individual found objects, such as a bicycle seat, croquet mallet and golf bag.
Tags: Baltimore Maryland Fountain National Aquarium Inner Harbor aquarium Donald Schaefer Promenade William Donald Schaefer Promenade Fountain William Donald Schaefer Promenade dolphin Leonard Streckfus Donald Hilderbrandt Donald F. Hilderbrandt James Grieves James R. Grieves dolphins Dolphin Fountain pier 3 National Aquarium in Baltimore
A cable-stayed pedestrian bridge connects two Piers 3 and Piers 6 near the National Aquarium at Inner Harbor.
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