Fundraising campaign aims to preserve Baltimore poet Lucille Clifton’s home

The former home of Maryland poet laureate Lucille Clifton in Baltimore’s Windsor Hills neighborhood is the focus of a fundraising campaign to preserve its artistic legacy, The Baltimore Banner reported. The campaign, called 90 Donors in 90 Days, aims to raise at least $200,000 to cover operating costs and commemorate what would have been Clifton’s 90th birthday year.

Joël Díaz, executive director of The Clifton House, described the home as a sanctuary for artists that provides nourishment and support to nurture their craft. Díaz emphasized the importance of preserving the house, comparing it to other significant Baltimore literary sites like the Poe House and Museum.

Clifton, a Pulitzer finalist and National Book Award winner, wrote much of her acclaimed work in and around Baltimore and Maryland. Her poetry collections explore themes of Black femininity, motherhood, and resilience, reflecting a lived-in humanity that resonates with Baltimore’s spirit.

DaMaris Hill, chair of the English and language arts department at Morgan State University, highlighted Clifton’s unapologetic approach to femininity and life, noting that her work invites acceptance and understanding. The home also features photographs from the 1970s, offering rare insight into the interiors of Black households from that era, which are seldom documented.

The campaign seeks to ensure that Clifton’s home continues to serve as a space honoring her legacy and supporting artists in Baltimore.

What we’re watching: The progress of the 90 Donors in 90 Days campaign and its impact on preserving Baltimore’s cultural heritage.