According to an article on the Hub, MADE: In America, a nonprofit organization that supports American industry, is working with five local universities, including the CityLab team from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, to transform the Carroll Mansion, a historic home in downtown Baltimore, into the “All American House.” The exhibit’s mission is to boost the profile of the historic, Revolution-era home by showcasing American manufacturers, many of which are from the greater Baltimore area. The exhibit will run for one month.
MBA students in the Carey’s CityLab course are working on marketing and promotions for the showcase and also helping designers connect with buyers. They are also looking into developing a new business model to help the site expand to an array of creative new uses.
Lindsay Thompson, a Carey professor who leads The CityLab team, says the group see the Carroll Mansion project as just “one strategy of many to rebuild the micro-economy” of the historic Jonestown neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Paula Hankins, executive director of the Carroll Museums, says the mansion has the potential to be far more than an underutilized historic site, calling for the building to become “a cultural center,” that could host additional exhibits, community events and performances.
“That’s what we’re working toward with the Carey students,” Hankins said. “What can this be? How would we brand ourselves and tailor our programs?”