The Morgan Millwork Company building stands as a living testament to the rise and fall of Baltimore’s clothing industry. Like much of the rest of the nation during the industrial revolution, Baltimore became a place where invested parties would “set up shop.” J Earl Morgan partnered with Charles A. Hanscom to create the Morgan Millwork Company Baltimore plant in 1910. The company remained in Baltimore for the next 60 years, selling and distributing a variety of products. The company relocated in 1970 in an industrial complex in Chesapeake Park.
After the company’s relocation, Max Rubin Industries, another Baltimore clothing company, purchased this beautiful building. Max Rubin was head of manufacturing company by trade, but had the heart of a poet. He wrote over 3000 poems during his lifetime, and became recognized as a Poet Laureate of Baltimore in 1947. Unfortunately his business did not match his poetic success, and was forced to close due to economic pressures in 1983.
In 1984, Joseph A. Bank’s family roots compelled him to move his self-entitled company, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, to Baltimore, despite the city’s declining success as a textile center. The old factory opened its doors to produce suit coats until eventually the entire company moved outside of the United States.
The property stood abandoned for years until it was purchased by MICA and redesigned as a center for their graduate program. The building has since been repurposed to include room for shared galleries, lecture halls, meeting rooms, and studios.
Our next stop is the Motorhouse Building. With your back to the entrance to the Morgan Millwork building, walk straight across W. North Ave. Your destination is directly in front of you, at the corner of W. North Ave and N. Howard St.
