For an up close and personal look at government in action—then and now—visit the Maryland State House in Annapolis. Annapolis became Maryland’s state capital in 1695. In 1772, the original wooden structure burned and was rebuilt. Since its completion in 1779, this “new†State House building has been in continuous use—the only State House in the country to claim that distinction. In addition, from November 1783 to August 1784, the State House served as the country’s first peacetime capital when the Continental Congress met there.
Still on view in the Old Senate Chamber on the State House’s first floor is the room where George Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolutionary War. Philadelphia gets the glory, though, for being the meeting place in 1787 where representatives of the 13 states wrote the Constitution of the United States.
Today, thousands of visitors from all over the country and the world troop through the historic State House. It’s impossible to miss this grand building – its dome is a landmark sight in the city. In 1968, the State House was named an National Historic Landmark, the first state house building to receive that honor.
To enter the State House, you pass through a metal detector and show a photo ID to the guard. During the Christmas season, the State House takes on an especially colorful look with a gaily-ornamented, ceiling-brushing Christmas tree and red poinsettias plants lining the marble stairways.
Once inside, you can wander on your own around the first floor, where you will see the Archive Room and the old Maryland Senate and House of Delegates meeting rooms. Or, you can arrange a free tour. To do so, stop by the visitor center on the first floor where tours for small groups, 10 people and few, are given on demand. They last about 30 minutes and focus on the historical aspects of the site.
Larger groups are asked to call the visitor center a few days ahead to schedule a tour. During the school year, students and youth groups from all over Maryland can be seen touring the State House and nearby state buildings.
The state legislature, known as the Maryland General Assembly, convenes for three months a year, from mid-January to mid-April. The Senate and the House of Delegate each has its own chamber in the “new†section of the State House, which was build around 1900. These chambers are a splendid sight — their marble chosen to reflect gold and red, the colors of the state flag, and their skylights designed by Tiffany & Co.
When the state senators and delegates are in session in their chambers, visitors can climb to the second floor visitor/press galleries that overlook these two chambers and see them at work.
Also on the second floor are the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, accessible by invitation only. In the basement of the building, you will find a coffee shop (open to the public) and the press room, a large open space crammed with desks and computers.
Near the State House are other state agency buildings you can visit. The Department of Legislative Services, on State Circle, perpendicular to the State House, has a cafeteria in the basement that is open to the public.
The Department of Legislative Services faces a small plaza, called Lawyer’s Mall, with benches and sculptures. Lawyer’s Mall is often the site for protests and rallies for and against various bills being heard during the legislative session.
Only a block from the State House is the Senate and House of Delegates office buildings. Although they have different addresses, the James Senate Office Building, at 110 College Ave., is attached to the Miller Senate Office Building, at 11 Bladen St. The Lowe House Office Building is across the street, at 6 Bladen St.
During the legislative session, visitors can attend the hearings that are held in all of these buildings. Ask the guard at the entrances for a schedule of hearings. They usually begin at 1 p.m. and can last well into the evening hours, depending on the number of items on the agenda.
During the session, a cafeteria in the basement of the James Senate Office Building is open to the public. The Lowe House Office Building has a room on the first floor with vending machines, where you can sip a cup of coffee or eat lunch.
The Maryland State House is located at 100 State Circle, Annapolis. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Christmas Day and tours are not given on Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. For information and for tours, which are given weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., call 410-974-3400.
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