Annapolis, Maryland: The Maryland State House

The Maryland State House
Constructed between 1772-1779, this is the oldest state house
in America still in continuous legislative use.  The Maryland
State House sits at the top of State Circle in the heart of
the Annapolis historic district.

The State House contains the senate and house chambers as well as
the offices of the governor and the lieutenant governor.

The senate chamber features portraits of Maryland's four signers of The Declaration of Independence.

Detail of inside of the Maryland State House

The dome of the rotunda rises 113 feet from the state house floor.

The old House of Delegates Chamber has been re-created as it appeared from 1876-1905.

Ceiling of the old House of Delegates Chamber

The stairwell leading to the governor's and lieutenant governor's
offices features this painting of George Washington resigning his
commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Washington's resignation took place in the Maryland State House
on December 23, 1783.  The Treaty of Paris, which ended the
American Revolution, was ratified by Congress here on January 14,
1784.

This skylight in the stairwell plus two others located in the senate and
house chambers are all by Tiffany & Company.

Maryland's state flag is displayed proudly in the State House
and throughout Annapolis.

Legislative sessions still begin at 8:00 PM as the
original state constitution designated.  Originally
the sessions were held at night to accommodate the
needs of the many members who farmed.

During our visit to Annapolis, educators staged a protest at one of the nightly legislative
sessions.  They were protesting state budgets cuts to education.
Photo by Chip Southworth