BALTIMORE, Md. (January 7, 2025) – The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) has received a $2.5M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The grant will support development of a 5,000-square-foot exhibition and a larger programming and research initiative that will interpret the history of religious diversity and contested stories of religious tolerance in our state.
Often called “America in Miniature” for its unique convergence of geography, history, lifeways, and ethnic groups, Maryland and its role in the story of religious tolerance and pluralism in the United States are particularly relevant today. With the passage of the Religious Toleration Act in 1649, the colony of Maryland became the first government in the Western world to codify a version of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Despite its revolutionary premise, this legislation only applied to Christians and was later repealed. The proposed exhibition will pull that thread from the 17th century to the present, exploring inflection points when religious tolerance was tested throughout the state. Focus areas include early colonization and connections with Indigenous spiritual practices, the American Revolution, the political achievements of Baltimore’s early 19th century Jewish community, and demographic shifts caused by waves of immigration in the 20th century.
“We envision this initiative as MCHC’s legacy project for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, planning toward a public opening in October 2026,” explained Katie Caljean, MCHC President and CEO. “Because of the support from Lilly Endowment, we will be able to collaborate with partners from across the state of Maryland to share important stories and perspectives on religious thought and spiritual life that have not yet been explored in a comprehensive way.”
Working closely with the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) based in Baltimore, MCHC plans to hire an endowed Lilly Curator of Religious History, launch a major exhibition, produce an exhibition publication, design educational activities for K-12 students and teachers, and organize public programs aimed to engage religious leaders and the general public.
“As an organization dedicated to increasing interreligious understanding, ICJS is honored to partner with MCHC to share the history of religions in Maryland,” said Heather Miller Rubens, ICJS Executive Director and a Roman Catholic scholar. “We are fortunate to live in such a religiously diverse state, with a rich religious history that is important not only locally, but also nationally. With this generous support from Lilly Endowment, we will be able to advance national conversations on religious tolerance and freedom of conscience as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026.”
MCHC is one of 33 organizations from across the United States receiving grants through the latest round of the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to support museums and other cultural organizations as they strengthen their capacity to provide fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the role religion has played and continues to play in the United States and around the world.
“The United States is widely considered to be one of the most religiously diverse nations today,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for Religion. “Many individuals and families trust museums and other cultural institutions and visit them to learn about their communities and the world. We are excited to support these organizations as they embark on projects to help visitors understand and appreciate the diverse religious beliefs, practices and perspectives of their neighbors and others in communities around the globe.”
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ABOUT LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it also funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. While the primary aim of its religion grantmaking focuses on strengthening the leadership and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States, the Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the contributions that people of all faiths and diverse religious communities make to our greater civic well-being.
ABOUT THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE
The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) collects, preserves, and interprets the history, art, and culture of Maryland. Originally founded as the Maryland Historical Society in 1844, MCHC inspires critical thinking, creativity, and community through its Museum, Library, and education programs. Learn more at mdhistory.org.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR ISLAMIC, CHRISTIAN, AND JEWISH STUDIES
As an independent, educational nonprofit, the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) straddles the academic arena and the public square with programming to advance interreligious dialogue and understanding. Through educational