As we celebrate this 268th anniversary of the founding of Christ
Church and Great Choptank Parish, it is a gratification to our hearts
and souls to remember the indelible mark it has made upon the history
of Maryland.

ADDRESS, "HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS"
ANNAPOLIS

May 16, 1960

In Maryland today there are more than 70 widely scattered voluntary
organizations now devoted to the same worthy objectives as is Historic
Annapolis, and I hope our visitors here from beyond Anne Arundel
County will overlook my endeavor to localize these remarks.

We find that our public and private promotional agencies here are
now equipped and joined together for the first time to effectively inform
prospective tourists in search of living American history that Annapolis
has more of this to offer than any other city in America—large or small.
Of all cities which were permanent capitals in pre-revolutionary
America, only Annapolis and Boston continue to serve as state capitals.
All other colonial capitals have yielded this great prestige to newer
cities closer to centers of shifting populations. Because of destructive
fires and the concentration of industrial, financial and shipping wealth
in downtown Boston, the old and historic sections of that city have been
completely rebuilt. Only six structures of the colonial era now survive,
and three of them have lost their original interiors. Here in Annapolis
a surprisingly large percentage of our pre-revolutionary architectural
heritage has been left to us to the present hour. It is further enhanced
by its compact setting of striking natural beauty, framed by marine
vistas of the historic harbor, the beautiful Severn River and the broad
Chesapeake Bay—all of which combine to charm the eye of the most
discriminating tourist visitor as well as our home folks.

As a resident of Government House—touching State Circle at the east
and Church Circle at the west—I am mindful of my own responsibilities
to Annapolis as a citizen by adoption rather than as a citizen by the
requirements of Section 21 of Article II of the Maryland Constitution
which directs the Governor to "reside at the seat of government. " Over
the past 20 years and more, many of you have met or seen me in and
about this community and your friendly and hospitable manner has
brightened our home life here.

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