Preserving a Legacy:
Echoes from the Key Bridge

Echoes from the Key Bridge is a multi-year initiative that preserves and amplifies the human and economic stories behind the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024. 

Rooted in the BMI’s mission to interpret the diverse and significant human stories behind labor and innovation in Baltimore, Echoes from the Key Bridge seeks to ensure that the voices of workers, immigrant families, first responders, and others affected by the collapse are not just remembered—but heard, honored, and made accessible for generations to come.

Oral Histories: Preserving Voices, Ensuring Access

With support from the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Baltimore National Heritage Area,  and other partners, the BMI has conducted in-depth oral history interviews with individuals directly impacted by the collapse. The interviews—recorded by Baltimore-based community artist and storyteller Maria Gabriela Aldana—include video and audio recordings in both English and Spanish, reflecting the rich diversity of Baltimore’s port communities.

These oral histories are now part of the BMI’s permanent collection and will be made available to researchers, students, and the general public.

“Really being able to get into the community of impacted people and hear from them firsthand about the experience is really critical to capture the perspective of people who have often been written out of history.” – Becky Eisen, Baltimore Community Foundation

Oral History Production Behind the Scenes

Eric Stacharowski, Baltimore County Fire Department, Dundalk, Station 6

A Major Exhibition in Development

In March 2025, the BMI received a lead gift from the Baltimore Community Foundation to support a major exhibition on the Key Bridge collapse. Opening in March 2027, on the third anniversary of the tragedy, this immersive exhibition will feature original artifacts and archival materials, digital interactives, and context about the Port of Baltimore and its workforce.

Community-Driven Collecting

In addition to the oral histories accessible to the public through the BMI archives, the museum is actively collecting objects, photographs, and archival materials related to the bridge collapse and its ripple effects.

If you have items to contribute, please visit our artifact donation page here.

Stewarding Artistic Expression

The BMI is proud to steward elements of a community memorial mural by artist Roberto Marquez. Crafted in the days following the tragedy, this impactful artwork is a representation of collective grief as well as a celebration of collective healing.

This work has been preserved with the help of local firm Direct Dimensions using 3D scanning technology. Take a virtual tour here. 

Mural Artist Roberto Marquez, by Anita Kassof

Funders & Collaborators

We are deeply grateful to our funders and collaborators who are helping us bring this project to life, including:

• Baltimore Community Foundation
• Baltimore National Heritage Area
• Ports America Chesapeake and STA of Baltimore Charitable Legacy, Inc.
• The Delaplaine Foundation
• Maryland Humanities

Why It Matters

Echoes from the Key Bridge is more than a response to a moment of crisis. It is a living history project that reflects Baltimore’s enduring resilience and the dignity of work. By preserving these stories and making them accessible to all, we affirm the value of every life impacted—and the importance of collective memory.

This is a long-term project, with long-term impact. It is about Baltimore’s past and future, told through the voices of its people.