papers and magazines telling them the story on it. It was as a result
of her work for the Department of Information, and more recently
for the Department of Economic Development, that tourists began
pouring in from all over the United States and foreign nations.
Without historians and their research work there would be very
little written history. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our State
Archivist, Dr. Morris Radoff, whose careful and detailed study of the
Maryland State House has served to underscore the significance of
this building both with respect to the history of our State and nation.
May I introduce to the audience Dr. Morris Radoff, State Archivist.
Of course there have been a great many other people who have
labored on behalf of the State House and I would like to offer our
thanks to them as well.
The designation of the State House as a registered national historic
landmark by the Department of Interior was undoubtedly spurred
by the labor of a few individuals who have been dedicated to bringing
the significance of this building to public attention. Today, as Governor
of this State, I am especially proud to accept the Bronze Plaque and
Certificate of Designation from the Department of the Interior. We
shall proudly erect the Plaque at an appropriate spot and display the
Certificate where it can be seen by everyone.
A few moments ago I said that we Americans are on the move.
We are traveling and sightseeing as never before. We are interested
in historic sites such as our State House and Fort McHenry and
landmarks like Annapolis, Antietam and Old St. Mary's City, to name
but a few. Let us resolve here today, before the new year advances
any further, that during 1964 we Marylanders will take positive measures
to insure the protection, preservation and restoration of our historic
sites. And, at the head of the list, let us put the State House and
the area surrounding it. In making this resolution, let us be motivated
by a deep sense of pride in our State's historic past and a desire to
stimulate in Americans, both young and old, an understanding and
appreciation of Maryland's role in the history of our nation. Apart from
the moral value of our traditions, let us not neglect to underscore the
fact that an historic preservation program also brings great economic
rewards in terms of attracting new tourist dollars. It can enhance real
estate values and contribute substantially to the appearance and charm
of a community, thus making it a more prosperous, as well as a more
pleasant place in which to live.
In closing, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Historic
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