Among its many architectural treasures, Charm City has an abundance of stained-glass windows dating back to the 19th century. But will this beloved art form continue here in the coming years? Anthropologist and author Linda Rabben explores this question and many more in Through a Glass Darkly: The Social History of Stained Glass in Baltimore, the first illustrated book on the subject.
Register to join the Baltimore Architecture Foundation at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore on Saturday, January 7, 2024, at 2 pm, to learn about stained glass in the city’s homes, civic buildings and houses of worship, including the windows that adorn the church.
The author will share her research on the social, economic and cultural contexts of this traditional art and craft, as well as the people who made and still make the windows. A diverse group—including Charm City buffs, decorative-arts aficionados, architects, historians, artists and crafters, students, city planners, social scientists, civil rights activists, and stained-glass makers—will view these feasts for the eye and hear the stories they tell.
Zion Church of the City of Baltimore, host of the talk, is featured in the book’s text and images. Church member Bernard Penner will share additional information about Zion’s history and its stained-glass windows.
