Located in an old cannery complex, the museum has exhibits on various types of manufacturing and industry from the early 20th century.

In the Decker Gallery, the Milestone wall documents inventions and processes discovered first in Baltimore, and Maryland.

The BMI is also home to the Baltimore, the oldest surviving steam tugboat and a National Historic Landmark that dates to 1906.

The museum was founded in 1977 as a project by the Mayor's office to preserve the industrial history of downtown Baltimore.

[2] The museum is located on the site of the old Platt Oyster Cannery on the North-west branch of the Patapsco River at 1415 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230.