H. L. Mencken House

The H. L. Mencken House was the home of Baltimore Sun journalist and author Henry Louis Mencken, who lived here from 1883 until his death in 1956. The Italianate brick row house at 1524 Hollins Street in Baltimore was designated a [[Baltimore City Landmark]] in 1975, and as an individual National Historic Landmark on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983. Mencken wrote of his home: "I have lived in one house in Baltimore for nearly 45 years. It has changed in that time, as I have—but somehow it still remains the same ... It is as much a part of me as my two hands. If I had to leave it I'd be as certainly crippled as if I lost a leg."

After his death on January 26, 1956, Mencken's Brother, August, continued to live in the house until his death on May 19,1967, when it was bequeathed to the University of Maryland and used for offices and student housing.

In 1983 the City of Baltimore, under Mayor William Donald Schaefer, acquired the H. L. Mencken House from the university and opened it as a museum. With period furniture, the H. L. Mencken House was part of the now defunct [[City Life Museums]] and a center for literary and other cultural events.

In 1997 after the demise of the City Life Museums,The Friends of the H.L. Mencken House and the Society to [[Preserve H.L. Mencken's Legacy, Inc.]] led the efforts of multiple groups to restore and re-open the house and operate it as a museum. It was not until 2006, when a $3 million bequest from Navy Commander and Mencken fan [Max Edwin Hency]was received that a complete restoration became possible. Restoration work was begun in 2018 and the museum opened the following year. The museum is open to visitors by appointment.