A place to call ‘home’: Renovating the historic Upton Mansion

by Deyane Moses The Upton Mansion is poised to embark on a remarkable transformation as it becomes the new headquarters for Afro Charities and the AFRO American Newspapers. Erected in 1838, this historic mansion holds a distinguished place on the National Registry of Historic Places and recognition as a Baltimore City Landmark. Once a residence, it also served as the headquarters to WCAO–Maryland’s first radio station, the Baltimore Institute of Musical Arts, and the Upton School—a primary institution catering to children with diverse learning needs. Regrettably, the Upton Mansion has sat unoccupied since 2006.& Currently, Afro Charities is seeking support via the “Make History with Us” Campaign, aspiring to breathe new life into the Upton Mansion. The nonprofit organization’s vision is to revitalize the mansion, transforming it into a permanent home for the AFRO Archives and an international research center dedicated to the study of Black life. The revitalized Upton Mansion will boast cutting-edge archival storage facilities, spacious research rooms, and state-of-the-art digitization and processing labs. Additionally, plans have been made to establish a fully-equipped broadcasting and video-casting suite. The premises will offer leasable office spaces for like-minded local organizations. On the grounds of the Upton Mansion, you’ll find an...