In the 1980s, the Maryland State Archives installed a number of historical exhibits in the State House to commemorate important milestones in the state's and the nation's history: the bicentennials of George Washington's resignation as commander in chief of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783 and the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784. A third exhibit focused on Maryland's role in the creation and ratification of the U.S. Consitution, especially the Annapolis Convention in 1785.

With the current renovations to the State House, many of these exhibits have been retired. However, the text and images are presented here to preserve the important research and intellectual effort that went into creating these exhibits.

The Founding of the Colony

• The Charter of Maryland

Declaring Independence

Congress in Annapolis

• Washington's Resignation
• Annapolis the Capital
• The Road to Peace: Ratification of the Treaty of Paris

• The Mt. Vernon Compact and The Annapolis Convention
• Five Delegates to Philadelphia
• Maryland the Seventh State
• The Maryland Federalist

• The Dome
• John Shaw
• The Buildings on State Circle

These exhibits were researched and written by State Archivist Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, with the assistance of Christopher N. Allan, Katharine Bond, Nancy M. Bramucci, Mimi Calver, Susan Cummings, Sara B. Hanan, Phebe R. Jacobsen, Jane McWilliams, Sara Jane Rose, Gregory A. Stiverson