Baltimore to end museum fees

After nearly a quarter-century of assessing admission fees, Baltimore’s two largest art museums -- the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum -- will be free of charge as of Oct. 1.

The new policy, modeled on that of several other museums nationwide, is aimed at boosting attendance, increasing visitor diversity and raising the city’s profile as a tourist destination.

Under the agreement, the city and Baltimore County have pledged to give an additional $200,000 to each of the museums next year.