[2] The museum is dedicated to preserving Baltimore's public transportation history, especially the streetcar era.

[7] The Museum's website has detailed information about its operational equipment, as well as vehicles awaiting restoration (see Collection Highlights).

Also provided are illustrations of surviving Baltimore area sites from the city's once-extensive streetcar network.

[11] The BSM's Visitor Center facilities feature an auditorium, the "Trolley Theatre," streetcar rides, and tours of the carhouse, where visitors view other historical transit equipment, such as an 1859 horse car, a crane car, and an electric bus, known as a trackless trolley or trolleybus.

[12][13] The City of Baltimore agreed to build the museum and lease it to the nonprofit organization for one dollar per year.

[16][17] The original Museum collection consisted of equipment used by the former United Railways and Electric Company and Baltimore Transit Company (BTCO) services, which was held for a short time, the Maryland Historical Society after Baltimore ceased streetcar service.

The collection was moved from what was at the time Robert E. Lee Park, near Lake Roland, in 1968 to the present Falls Road Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad site and public operations began in July 1970.

[12] The track gauge continues to be the unique 5 ft 4+1⁄2 in (1,638 mm) one used by original Baltimore streetcar lines.