Tour the monuments of the Monumental City. From its beginning as a small town on the banks of the Patapsco River in 1729, Baltimore has played a significant role in the development of the United States. To commemorate those persons or events that have contributed to the city and the nation's history, Baltimore was the first American city to build public monuments. Persons honored by these monuments have included artists, entertainers, athletes, civic leaders, government officials, military veterans, public servants, religious leaders, social reformers, and war heroes. Local historian Thomas Cotter discusses the history of each monument, its origin, notable designers, funding methods, dedication ceremony, and a description of the monument itself.

Thomas Cotter is a retired archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration, where he served twenty-five years as an appraisal archivist working with federal agencies to determine the eventual disposition of the agency's records. Prior to joining NARA, he served as a reference archivist with the Baltimore City Archives. A native Baltimorean, he is a graduate of the University of Baltimore with degrees in history and legal studies.