Early 20th-century ceiling murals were recently unearthed during a restoration project at the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue in East Baltimore.
Vinyl reproductions of and interpretive materials about the murals are now featured in the Jewish Museum of Maryland’s new permanent core collection, “Jews of Maryland at the Crossroads of Identity.”
The exhibition, which opened last Sunday, Apr. 12, explores Maryland’s Jewish history through artifacts, archival materials and personal stories.
The JMM is located at 15 Lloyd Street, between the Lloyd Street Synagogue and the historic B’nai Israel Congregation.
The original fragments of the murals — which have been preserved in the museum’s permanent collection — were discovered during a restoration project coordinated by the JMM with C&H Restoration and Renovation and C.J. Coakley Co. Inc.
“The murals offer a rare glimpse into the visual and spiritual life of the early 20th-century congregation that worshiped in the Lloyd Street Synagogue,” the JMM stated in a media release.
A surviving portion of the mural depicts a Holy Land scene alongside a Torah, framed by a floral border characteristic of the period in which the artwork was painted. Originally, the mural appeared above the ark at the eastern end of the shul.
“Little is currently known about the artist, or artists, who created the murals, and research is ongoing to better understand their origins and history,” the JMM said in the statement. “Cracks, small areas of loss, and even the imprint of the mesh that helped stabilize the surface for more than 60 years remain visible.”
The Lloyd Street Synagogue is the oldest Jewish house of worship in Maryland, and the third oldest in the United States. When opening in 1845, the Greek Revival-style building served as the first home of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, then known as Nidche Yisroel (Scattered of Israel).
The building later became a Lithuanian Catholic church until 1905 when the Shomrei Mishmeres Ha-Kodesh Congregation purchased it. That Orthodox congregation continued to worship there until 1959. Stewardship of the building was taken over by the Jewish Historical Society of Maryland, precursor to the JMM.
Today, the synagogue is primarily a museum and part of the JMM’s complex. In recent years, the building has undergone ceiling repairs, making the space temporarily inaccessible to visitors.
The rediscovered murals — estimated to date back to the first decade of the 20th century — were believed to have been lost during previous restorations.
“The murals installed by Shomrei Mishmeres Ha-Kodesh have been a point of institutional interest for many years,” said Trillion Attwood, the JMM’s deputy director. “We are fortunate to hold a small selection of photos of the murals from around 1960. However, the documentation is quite limited. This discovery opens up new lines of inquiry to foster a deeper understanding of the synagogue and those who worshipped here. On a broader scale, the murals shed light on approaches to turn-of-the-century synagogue decor.”
Selected mural fragments have been stabilized and preserved for future restoration, research and display. “As a historic restoration company, we were pleased with the museum’s commitment to the preservation of the murals,” said Tim Horjus, co-owner of North Baltimore-based C&H Restoration and Renovation.
Said Attwood: “The museum has worked with C&H Restoration on multiple projects in the care of the two historic synagogues on our campus, They have shown a deep understanding of the significance of these spaces and their place within the community. Through the craftsmanship already applied to this project, we will ensure the preservation of the murals and the property as a whole.
“As the work proceeds, we continue to learn more about the building, the former congregants and the community,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming the community back into the space later this year and sharing more details about all that we have discovered.”
On Wednesday, Apr. 15, the JMM held an opening celebration of its new core exhibition, “Jews of Maryland at the Crossroads of Identity.” The program included the inauguration of the JMM’s Harvey M. Meyerhoff Gallery. For information, visit jewishmuseummd.org.
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