Westminster Hall, one of the area's most intriguing architectural landmarks, is a converted Gothic
church built on arches above Westminster Burying Ground, creating catacombs. Edgar Allan Poe and his young wife
found their final resting place within Westminster Burying Ground, as did several early mayors of Baltimore, heroes
of the American Revolution and members of the city's elite.
The church and burying ground are in the care of the Westminster Preservation Trust, Inc., a private, nonprofit
organization established in 1977 under the leadership of the University of Maryland School of Law. In 1983, the
Trust completed a major project to preserve and restore the site's historic features and to adapt the church building
for contemporary use.
A creative restoration combines the elegance of stained glass, carved oak woodwork and an 1882 Johnson pipe organ
with the conveniences of track lighting, a modern sound system and flexible seating options.
