NewsRegionBaltimore City

Actions

National Aquarium to unveil mural honoring Governor William Donald Schaefer

Posted at 9:40 PM, Apr 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-05 11:11:25-04

BALTIMORE, Md. — The National Aquarium will unveil a mural honoring the life and legacy of Governor William Donald Schaefer.

The mural is called the "Schaefer Splash" and was created by local award-winning artist Joseph Sheppard. It is a gift from the Dorothy and Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr. Foundation, to honor the then-Mayor Schaefer’s iconic seal pool plunge taken in 1981 as the result of a lost bet about the timing of the grand opening of the National Aquarium.

Governor Schaefer was known for his transformation of the Inner Harbor from an industrial shipping area to what the Urban Land Institute described as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the world.” It wasn't until the mid-1970's Schaefer thought of the idea to incorporate an aquarium as a major addition to the redevelopment.

National Aquarium Board Chair Marc Bunting and President and CEO John Racanelli, the Board of Directors and benefactors Dorothy and Henry Rosenberg will come together to unveil the masterpiece at a private event on Thursday, April 11 at 7:45 p.m.