THE MARYLAND STATE HOUSE
The Heart of Maryland History and Government

History of the Maryland State House

red ball Fact Sheet: The State House, the Dome, and the Acorn
red ballThe Story of the State House and Its Dome
red ballProtecting the State House From Lightning:


The Franklin Lightning Rod
red ball A Detailed History of the State House Domes, 1769-1797
red ballA Tour of the State House
red ballImages of the State House over the years

The Maryland State House is the oldest state house still in legislative use. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The State House is administered by the State House Trust which oversees the interpretation of the building as well as its care and maintenance. It also has responsibility for the use of the public areas of the State House. The chair of the State House Trust is Governor Martin O'Malley. The secretary is Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, Maryland State Archivist. Dr. Papenfuse and others, including Orlando Ridout V, Mimi Calver, Sasha Lourie, Anne Tria, Alicia Brooks, Erin Corley, Ellen Loll, Rebecca Thomas, Cindy Thompson, and Elaine Rice Bachmann have contributed to recent research about the State House and its dome.

The above image of the State House was made by Charles Willson Peale shortly after the State House was completed and was published in the Columbian Magazine in February 1789. This image of the State House is especially notable because it also shows some of the other buildings on State Circle at the time, including the home of John Shaw at the far left. To the right of the State House are Old Council Chamber and Ball Room, built in 1718 and the octoganal outdoor privy known as the "temple." At the far right is the Old Treasury Building which was built in 1735 and is still the oldest public building in Annapolis.

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