Watch CBS News

Volunteers Help Keep 127-Year-Old Rawlings Conservatory Maintained

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Four years ago when the Sailabration came to town, the group of Naval reservists next to Fort McHenry were looking for ways to contribute.

As Mike Schuh reports, what started then has now grown into a large annual event.

The Rawlings Conservatory -- a Baltimore icon -- is long on beauty, short on cash.

It's a refuge, an island, a calm spot in a turbulent place.

Getting her ready for the season is like a military campaign, in fact, look at those fatigues.

The Navy began helping with this program in 2012.

SCPO Anthony LaFrenier is the senior enlist man at the reserve center near Ft. McHenry.

"My folks are usually in the office all week and this is a good way to get out," LaFrenier said.

This is as close as 30 sailors will get to any water today.

"Actually I like doing this because it's relaxing instead of sitting at a desk all day," Navy reservist Krystal Jones said.  "So it's a breath of fresh air, literally, to come out and help the city."

There are 170 additional volunteers.

Contributing from Patterson High are 30 special needs students.

Add to the volunteers -- a few professionals -- combined they're turning scraggly in serenity. A scene looking more like Paris than Park Heights.

Director Kate Bloom did the math.

"The man-hour value of what you have here is $14,000," Bloom said.

This tradition was born out of budget cuts.

Perhaps the most beautiful budget cuts this city may ever see.

At 127 years old, the structure in Druid Hill Park is the second oldest glass conservatory in the nation.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.