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Home , Francis Blackwell Mayer, Maryland State Archives, Maryland State House, Old Senate Chamber, Thomas Stone

The 20th & 21st Centuries The State House Facts

You will know you have left the 18th century part of the Four Centuries of History ♦ Capitol of the , November 1783– State House when you cross the black line in the floor. August 1784 The Maryland State House was the first peacetime capitol Notice the fossils embedded in the black limestone. Once ♦ America’s first peacetime capitol of the United States and is the only state house ever to you cross that line, you are in the “new” section of the ♦ Oldest state house in America still in continuous Welcome have served as the nation’s capitol. Congress met in the building, built between 1902–05, often called the “Annex.” legislative use to the Old Senate Chamber from November 26, 1783 to ♦ Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the th August 13, 1784. During that time, General George As you cross into the 20 century part of the State House, first state house in the nation to win such designation Maryland State House be sure to look up the grand staircase at the monumental Washington came before Congress to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental painting of Washington Resigning His Commission by 18th Century Building Army and the was ratified, marking the A Self-Guided Tour for Visitors Edwin White, painted for the Maryland General Date of construction: 1769–79 official end of the War. In May 1784, Assembly in 1858. Architect: Joseph Horatio Anderson Congress appointed minister to France, Builder: Charles Wallace It is in this section of the State House that the Maryland the first diplomatic appointment by the new nation. Senate and House of Delegates meet for their annual Dome 90-day Session between early January and mid April. The State House embodies four centuries of Maryland Date of construction: 1785–94 Both the Senate and House of Delegates Chambers feature and early American history. Architect: Joseph Clark skylights by the studio of Louis Comfort Tiffany, as well Largest wooden dome of its kind in North America as specially selected marble that reflects the red and gold The Old Treasury Building on the State 17th Century: State House Annex of the Maryland flag. House grounds, now closed to the public for restoration Date of construction: 1902–05 work, was built in 1735 and is the oldest public building Architect: Baldwin and Pennington The Senate Chamber in Annapolis. When reopened, it will feature exhibits This chamber features relating to the founding of Maryland in 1634 and its first Basic Facts historical portraits of at St. Mary’s City. Square footage: 120,900 square feet Maryland’s four signers Height of dome, exterior to weather vane: 181 feet of the Declaration of 18th Century: Three rooms within the State House, Height of dome, interior: 113 feet Independence: William especially the Old Senate Chamber, are devoted to the Paca, , important national events that took place in the State Visiting the State House and by House at the end of the Revolutionary War. The State House is open every day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., John Beale Bordley, except Christmas and New Years Day. To help make and Charles Carroll 19th Century: The recreated Old House of Delegates your visit to the Maryland State House more enjoyable, of Carrollton by Chamber interprets the important events that took place and to provide you with an understanding of its rich and Thomas Sully. in the 19th century, generally organized around the theme historic past, self-guided tour information is available in of the expansion of rights. the Archives Room on the first floor. For information about the Maryland General Assembly’s educational 20th and 21st Centuries: This period is represented programs, which might include a State House tour, see: Charles Carroll of Carrollton in the 1905 annex to the building which houses the http://dls.maryland.gov/library, then click on “Educational by Thomas Sully, 1833 Senate and House of Delegates Chambers and where the Tours” or call the Department of Legislative Services business of governing the state is carried out every day. Visitors’ Coordinator on 410.946.5423. Group curatorial The House of Delegates Chamber tours may be arranged by calling the Maryland State The portraits in this chamber are of former speakers of The Maryland State House was designated a National Archives at 410.260.6418. the House, arranged in chronological order, beginning at Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior in the right front. The two most recent speakers featured are 1960, on the same day as Mount Vernon and Monticello. Please note that security measures are in place at the Courtesy of the Casper R. Taylor, Jr. and R. Clayton Mitchell, Jr.; their It was the first state house to win such designation. State House and other state buildings. Picture ID is required Office of Interpretation portraits are to the right and left of the rostrum. for entrance and metal detectors are in operation. A Program of the The 21st century interpretation of the State House takes Governor Larry J. Hogan The Office of Interpretation is a program of the Maryland place every day as the governor, lt. governor, speaker of Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford State Archives. Donations to support the interpretation the House and , all of whom have President of the Senate Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. of the building are welcome. To learn more about the their offices in the building, carry out the business of Speaker of the House of Delegates Michael E. Busch Maryland State House and its history and artwork, governing Maryland. please visit our web site at: statehouse.md.gov November 2018

State House Sept 2018 NEW.indd 1 10/29/2018 1:26:29 PM The 18th Century State House Plan of the First Floor of the The 19th Century & Maryland State House The USS Maryland Silver Service The best place to begin your tour is in the Archives Room where you will find brochures and other information. EXIT The Old House of Delegates Chamber This room also features exhibits about the building Across the hall from the Old Senate Chamber is the and State Circle and their evolution over the centuries. OLD SENATE Old House of Delegates Chamber which has recently In 1858, this room was made fireproof, including the CHAMBER OLD HOUSE OF been recreated to how it looked in the late 19th century. brick floor, to store and preserve the state’s records. DELEGATES ROTUNDA CHAMBER The recreation of this space was guided by photographs SENATE STAIRWELL COMMITTEE ROOM ROOM and documents found at the Maryland State Archives. The Rotunda 18TH CENTURY The rotunda is the space below the dome and is the center ARCHIVES ROOM STATE STATE HOUSE HOUSE CAUCUS ROOM of the 18th century State House, built between 1772–79. GRAND The dome was added to the building between 1785–94 STAIRCASE and is the largest wooden dome in North America. It was

built entirely without nails. The newly restored Old Senate Chamber with bronze statues of HOUSE OF and Molly Ridout 20TH SENATE CENTURY DELEGATES CHAMBER ANNEX TO CHAMBER Under the dome is the STATE dais where the president of Congress, , HOUSE case displaying George would have been seated. Above Washington is the figure Washington’s personal of Molly Ridout, watching from the “Ladies Balcony,” as copy of the speech he gave women were not allowed to be present on the Senate floor resigning his commission at that time. as commander-in-chief of ENTRANCE

the in STAIRS TO The Senate Committee and Stairwell Rooms LAWYERS MALL the Old Senate Chamber The Old House of Delegates Chamber, c. 1880 In these two rooms, visitors will find new, interactive on December 23, 1783. exhibits interpreting the events that took place during the Considered by historians The Calverts: The Lords Two monumental paintings in this chamber were painted time that Congress met in Annapolis in 1783–84, as well as to be the fourth most in the 19th century by : information about Annapolis in the 18th century and the of the Colony of Maryland important document The Planting of the Colony of Maryland, showing the first men and women who played important roles in these events. in American history, colonists celebrating their safe arrival in Maryland in 1634 In the lobby and on Washington’s resignation by planting a cross on St. Clement’s Island, and The Burning Two very important historical portraits are featured in these the grand staircase from power set the of the Peggy Stewart, which depicts the protest by Annapolitans three spaces: over the fireplace in the Old are 17th and 18th important precedent of William Pitt of the importation of tea in 1774. The large portrait is of Senate Chamber and century full-length the military being under Washington, Lafayette and Tilghman Thomas Holliday Hicks, governor from 1858–62. in the Committee Room. Both were painted portraits of the civilian authority. For much more information on this at Yorktown by renowned Maryland artist and Calverts. These important event, visit the exhibits in the adjoining rooms. Interpretation of this room focuses on the expansion of have hung in the State House since the 18th century. portraits portray an rights in Maryland in the 19th century, including the entire dynasty of The Old Senate Chamber right for Jews to hold public office, the abolition of slavery colonial proprietors, in Maryland, and the writing of the state Constitution The Old Senate Chamber has recently been restored to the Barons (or Lords) of 1867 that is still in effect today. New bronze figures of its appearance when the met here of Baltimore, and and are planned for from November 1783 – August 1784. On December 23, bring to life the this space. Both were born in Maryland and devoted their 1783, General George Washington came before Congress earliest history of lives to achieving the abolition of slavery. to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Maryland. The Continental Army. Just three weeks later, on January 14, family owned the The State House Caucus Room 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially Colony of Maryland ending the Revolutionary War, thus making Annapolis under a charter that Next to the Old House of Delegates Chamber is the State the new nation’s first peacetime capital. conveyed one of the The Second Lord Baltimore House Caucus Room that features a display of the USS most extensive grants Cecilus (Cecil) Calvert Maryland silver service. This beautiful silver set, made by Gerard Soest, c. 1665 The arrangement of the furniture reflects the way the of powers conceded by by Samuel Kirk & Sons of Baltimore, was partially paid room looked on December 23, 1783 according to carefully the crown of England for by money raised by Maryland school children for the researched protocols for important Congressional events during America’s period of colonization. Its proprietary cruiser USS Maryland in 1906. in the late 18th century. Washington is shown facing the Senate Committee Room rule ended with the in 1776.

State House Sept 2018 NEW.indd 2 10/29/2018 1:26:30 PM