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	Newsletter of The Maryland State Archives


	Judge Robert C. Murphy portrait painting by artist Cedric Egeli. Photo by Joannette Egeli. (MSA SC 5351)


	The Hall of Records Commission and the staff of the Maryland State Archives mourn the loss of the Honorable Robert C. Murphy. Judge Murphy was a long-time Chairman of the Commission, serving from 1972 to 1996. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of the present Hall of Records building and watched the archival program achieve a nationally recognized standard of public service. His support and friendship will be missed. In addition to his service with the Commission, Judge Murphy had a distinguished career on the Maryland bench. He began his public service in the Attorney General's office, as Special Assistant Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General of Maryland from 1956 to 1966 and as Attorney General of Maryland from 1966 to 1967. In 1967 he moved to the other side of the bench, as Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, a position which he held until 1972. At that time, he was appointed Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the top judicial post in Maryland. Judge Murphy held that position until his retirement in 1996. From 1986 to 1987, he also held the Presidency of the National Conference of Chief Justices. During his service in the


	NEW COLORS FOR THE OLD SENATE CHAMBER by Mimi Calver


	If you haven't been into the State House lately, a trip downtown to see the newly painted Old Senate Chamber will be well worth your while. The room has been transformed by a new color scheme, primarily Prussian blue on the walls and a stone color for the trim. The Prussian blue was discovered during an historic paint analysis conducted in 1998 by Matthew Mosca, a well-known historic paint analyst from Baltimore. Adding to the brightness of the room is the fact that UV-inhibiting film has been placed on the windows to protect the paintings, so the shutters can now be left open to let in natural sunlight. The painting of Washington, Lafayette and Tilghman at Yorktown was removed during the painting for a conservation assessment and cleaning


	and will be replaced before the end of the year. The painting of the Old Senate Chamber was part of a larger project of interior renovations to the State House undertaken by the Department of General Services this year. All of the marble walls and floors have been cleaned and repaired, a shading system is being placed over the Tiffany skylights in the House and Senate chambers, ceilings and light fixtures are being replaced, bathrooms and the canteen are being refurbished, and some doors are being refinished. Archives' staff have worked with DGS to move and protect furniture and paintings during the work and have attended bi-weekly progress meetings to keep up to date on the work.

RECORD TRANSFERS

ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
(Case File) 1990 [MSA T1260]

COURT OF APPEALS
(Writs of Certiorari) 1998 [MSA T1214]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
(Easements) 1979-1991 [MSA T897]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
(Minutes) 1987-1996 [MSA T199]

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES, CONTRACT SERVICES DIVISION
(Construction File) 1973-1998 [MSA T298]
(Shortform Contracts) 1994-1997 [MSA T297]

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES, REAL ESTATE DIVISION
(Land Acquisitions) 1999 [MSA T1565]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, CH HEALTH DEPARTMENT
(Birth Record) 1898-1954 [MSA T3248] Restricted
(Death Record) 1898-1930 [MSA T3247]