Evan Woodard is a historian and explorer from Baltimore who has found a unique way to connect with his city’s past — by using magnet fishing to pull historical artifacts from the depths of its waters.
Through his project Salvage Arc and his growing online presence, Woodard is not just recovering forgotten objects; he is telling the story of Baltimore’s rich and complex history in a way that few others have attempted.
His dedication to unearthing hidden histories has captivated many and has even led to the establishment of a foundation aimed at preserving and celebrating these discoveries.
The Beginnings of Evan Woodard’s Historical Journey
Evan Woodard’s journey into the world of historical exploration began during the difficult days of the pandemic. As the world shut down and people sought new ways to find meaning and connection, Woodard picked up a shovel and decided to start digging.
He found himself drawn to Baltimore’s old privies — ancient outdoor toilets that were often used as dumps for everyday items. Over time, the refuse thrown into these pits transformed into time capsules, preserving glimpses of the lives of Baltimore’s former residents.
Woodard described this experience as life-changing. On his website, he wrote,
“My journey began during the challenging times of the pandemic when I took a shovel into my hands, not knowing that I was about to unearth a deep connection to Baltimore’s hidden histories. With each dig into our city’s old privies, I brought to light not just artifacts but the vibrant stories of those who walked these streets long before us.”
For Woodard, each artifact — whether it was a broken bottle, a fragment of ceramic, or an old tool — was a tangible link to the past. The pieces he found told stories of everyday life, struggle, resilience, and change. In a city like Baltimore, with its long and often turbulent history, these recovered objects were more than just curiosities. They were vital threads in the tapestry of the city’s cultural identity.
Magnet Fishing and the Founding of Salvage Arc
While digging in privies brought many treasures to light, Evan Woodard’s methods evolved over time. In late 2022, he began experimenting with magnet fishing.
This technique, which involves dropping a strong magnet into bodies of water and pulling it back up with metal objects attached, opened up an entirely new world of discovery. Magnet fishing allowed Woodard to explore parts of Baltimore’s history that had been lost underwater — quite literally hidden beneath the surface.
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Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and surrounding waterways became prime locations for his explorations. From sunken relics to discarded modern items, the variety of what he pulled up was astounding.
Among his finds were shipping hooks from the 1800s, relics from the bustling days when Baltimore was a major shipping hub. One particularly notable find was a late Victorian bench, a piece that harkened back to an era when the city’s waterfront was alive with commerce and community gatherings.
What makes magnet fishing so fascinating is its unpredictability. Each throw of the magnet could bring up anything — a historic artifact, an old tool, or even something as unexpected as a doll’s head or an electric scooter. As Woodard told ABC in an interview, “There’s an endless supply down there.” The waterways, it seems, are a treasure trove waiting to be explored.
Realizing the power of community in this endeavor, Woodard started hosting weekly magnet fishing meetups. Every Thursday at Fells Point’s Broadway Pier, he and a group of enthusiasts gather to cast their magnets and see what they can retrieve.
These gatherings are about more than just the objects found; they are about bringing people together, sharing stories, and connecting with the city’s past in a very hands-on way.
Driven by his passion for discovery and community building, Woodard founded the Salvage Arc Foundation in 2024. His vision is ambitious and inspiring: to create a museum and community center in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point neighborhood. This center will serve as a space where artifacts can be displayed, histories can be shared, and residents and visitors alike can engage with the rich, layered story of Baltimore.
Salvaging Baltimore’s Hidden Histories
The work that Evan Woodard is doing goes beyond personal exploration or hobbyist curiosity. His efforts touch on important conversations about memory, preservation, and community heritage.
Baltimore, like many American cities, has histories that are often marginalized or forgotten. By pulling artifacts from the ground and the water, Woodard is literally bringing these histories back into the light.
The artifacts he finds are not always glamorous or monumental. Many are everyday objects — tools, coins, pieces of machinery. But it is precisely these humble items that make history feel real and accessible. They remind us that history is not just about famous figures or grand events; it is also about the daily lives of ordinary people.
Through Salvage Arc’s Instagram account, Woodard shares these discoveries with a wide audience. Each post offers not just a picture of an object, but often a short story or historical context, inviting followers to imagine the lives connected to these items.
This approach makes history engaging and relatable, helping to foster a deeper appreciation for the past among people who might not normally think of themselves as history buffs.
In addition to preserving physical artifacts, Woodard’s work raises important environmental questions. Baltimore’s waterways have long been plagued by pollution, and the magnet fishing efforts also function as a kind of cleanup initiative. By removing debris from the water, Woodard and his group are helping to make the harbor cleaner and safer for everyone.
Yet the most powerful aspect of Woodard’s mission is perhaps the sense of community it builds. Whether through the weekly magnet fishing meetups or the future community center, Salvage Arc is about more than just uncovering the past; it’s about building connections in the present. It’s about fostering a sense of belonging, pride, and stewardship over the city’s shared heritage.
Evan Woodard’s story is a reminder that history is not something locked away in dusty books or behind museum glass. It’s all around us, waiting to be rediscovered — in the soil beneath our feet, in the waters of our harbors, and in the everyday objects that once held meaning for people long gone.
Through his work, Woodard invites all of us to take part in this ongoing journey of discovery, to listen to the voices of the past, and to ensure that their stories continue to be told.
As he continues to grow the Salvage Arc Foundation and works toward building a museum and community center, Evan Woodard stands as a powerful example of how one person’s passion can help revive a city’s lost memories — and inspire an entire community to reconnect with its roots.