From Lost to Found: The Discovery of John Davidge's Portrait

Send us a text

In this episode, “The UMB Pulse” hears the story of how a rare portrait of University of Maryland School of Medicine founder John Davidge was hiding in a shuttered Baltimore restaurant and discusses its significance to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). 

Hosts Dana Rampolla and Charles Schelle, MS, talk with Larry Pitrof, executive director of the Medical Alumni Association (MAA) at UMB, and Meg Fairfax Fielding, director of the history of Maryland medicine at the Maryland State Medical Society, about the astonishing recovery of a long-lost portrait of UMB’s founding father, John Beale Davidge. 

Learn how this 200-year-old painting was found during an estate auction at a former Baltimore restaurant and listen to the stories behind the significance of Davidge and historical treasures at UMB. Pitrof also shares the efforts to preserve UMB’s rich medical heritage and the current restoration updates on the iconic Davidge Hall. 

Davidge Hall is open to UMB students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitors who wish to visit and see the portrait and other artifacts in Davidge Hall should contact MAA in advance at 410-706-7454 or [email protected].

00:00 Discovering a Hidden Treasure: The Lost Portrait of John Beale Davidge
02:38 Meet the Experts: Larry Pitrof and Meg Fairfax Fielding
03:50 The Significance of John Beale Davidge to UMB
06:19 The Incredible Discovery at Bertha's Mussels
08:12 Authenticating and Preserving the Portrait
17:48 The Historical Importance of Davidge Hall
21:06 Restoration Efforts and Future Plans for Davidge Hall
26:52 The Value of Historical Artifacts and Collaboration
42:17 Public Display and Access to the Portrait
43:55 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements 

Listen to The UMB Pulse on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you like to listen. The UMB Pulse is also now on YouTube.

Visit our website at umaryland.edu/pulse or email us at [email protected].