About Us
State and City law created the War Memorial Commission to operate the War Memorial building. Authorization for the Commission was enacted in 1924. In 1970, the Commission became part of the Department of General Services. It transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs (now the Department of Veterans & Military Families) in 1999.
The War Memorial is run by a 10-member commission. Five members are appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the Governor's approval, and five by the Mayor of Baltimore. Members serve a five-year term. The commission is responsible for oversight and supervision of the building and plaza. The State agency responsible for oversight of the building is the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families.
The responsible City agency is the Department of General Services. DGS conducts day-to-day operations of the building, reporting to the commission quarterly. The building is open and available for meetings of veterans' groups and patriotic societies, and for civic gatherings. Maintenance costs are shared equally by the State and the City of Baltimore.
Members of the Commission
Marian C. James
Chair (chosen by Commission in Sept. to 2-year term), 2017
Edward A. Bauer
Vice Chair (chosen by Commission in Sept. to 2-year term), 2017
Appointed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs with Governor's approval to 5-year terms:
- Harold Webster, 2019
- Edward A. Bauer, 2020
- Timothy A. Rainey, 2020
- Cate Conroy, 2020
- Wilson J. Thornton, Jr., 2017
Appointed by Mayor of Baltimore to 5-year terms:
- Marian C. James, 2018
- Norman E. Johnson, Jr., 2018
- David Clements, 2018
- Charles Culver, 2019
- Rebecca Stone-Johnson, 2020