Meyerhoff was born in Ukraine and was brought to the United States as a young boy in 1906. He grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Baltimore City College ; he then attended and completed his law degree at the University of Maryland in the mid 1930s. Meyerhoff practiced law for some years upon graduation from the UM School of Law until he opened a construction company with his brother called Monumental Properties Inc. This firm thrived for nearly 40 years until it was sold for about $180M. Monumental Properties was responsible for many buildings in the city, including various shopping centers throughout the west side. In the early 1950s Meyerhoff and other prominent Jewish-American businessmen were chosen to assist Israel during its initial establishment crises. He retired in 1965. Meyerhoff continued his career as an avid philanthropist serving as president of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in the 1970s, where he personally contributed money and helped raise millions of dollars. He is credited, along with music directorSergiu Comissiona, with re-organizing and revitalizing the group. The BSO's primary home, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, is named after him. Meyerhoff also supported many other Jewish charities and art museums throughout Baltimore and was eventually inducted into the Baltimore Business Hall of Fame along with Robert Merrick.
Personal life
Meyerhoff was married in the 1930s to Rebecca Witten and they had three children whom they raised in Baltimore:
Harvey Meyerhoff was married to Lenore Pancoe who died in 1988. He remarried columnist Lois Wyse in 1990.
Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone was married to Jack Pearlstone. Their son, Richard L. Pearlstone, served as national chairman of the United Jewish Appeal.
Legacy
Meyerhoff's legacy lives on through charities and scholarships and through his various contributions to the BSO.
The University of Maryland has a Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies
Maryland Institute College of Art has a department called "The Joseph Meyerhoff Center for Career Development" that is used to foster the professional growth of students and alumni throughout their lives.
The "Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds" is a group of Baltimore-based family foundations making philanthropic contributions in the local area as well as nationally and internationally. Thus, Meyerhoff's philanthropic legacy continues through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
