of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 355

RESTORATION OF OLD SENATE CHAMBER

DEDICATION EXERCISES

State House, January 23, 1941

Annapolis

THIS important occasion, which marks the restoration of a definite link
with Maryland's Colonial past, is one that gives me particular gratifica-
tion, just as I know it is a source of deep satisfaction to everyone present,
and to, every history-conscious resident of our State.

The story of Maryland's early history, and of our State's important part
m the Colonial phase, let me call it, of our Country's existence, is too
glorious a one ever to be forgotten. This Old Senate Chamber, situated as it
is in one of the two State Houses of our Country which go back to pre-Revolu-
tionary days, is a priceless heritage from the past that will be for all time to
come, I hope, a reminder of Maryland's conspicuous achievements in the found-
ing and successful establishment of the United States of America.

It is significant that we are gathered today in the Chamber where the
Continental Congress met to settle the complex problems that faced the new
Nation following the Revolutionary War, at the very moment that, in Wash-
ington, the successors of that Congress are wrestling with new and highly
complicated matters connected with the wars now raging throughout most of
the world.

I trust that the wisdom and the courage with which our early Congress met
their problems here in this Old Senate Chamber will be duplicated in the halls
of Congress in Washington during these present deliberations and those to
come, so that our national leadership today may lead us safely out of our
troubles in the same degree that our Continental forefathers met and solved

their problems here in this historic Old Chamber.

With this Chamber restored as closely as possible to its original atmos-
phere and furnishings, with money we were happy to appropriate, we now
have a State House that will" truly be worthy of the interest of the many
thousands who come here each year from far away states to view it. Not only
is this room established as a permanent focus for such historical visitations,
but the entire State House, I am happy to say, reflects the effort that had been
made to bring it to its fullest glory.

Physically, in the matter of painting and general repairs, the State House
is, I believe, in the best condition that it has been in the memory of anyone
here present. Furthermore, throughout the past eighteen months, while this
restoration was in progress, similar constructive efforts were being expanded
on the many paintings of historic value which adorn the walls of our corridors,
chambers and offices. They are all in uniformly splendid condition. Most of
them have been cleaned and the frames repaired, and I would call your atten-