Maryland State House Trust

Guidelines and Procedures for the Use of the Maryland State House
Annapolis, Maryland

The State House Trust

Chair: Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland
Ex officio: William C. Ferguson, IV, President of the Senate
Adrienne A. Jones, Speaker of the House of Delegates
Laura Davis Mears,Chairman, Maryland Historical Trust
Nonvoting associates: Matthew P. Lalumia, Esq.; Robert R. Neall
Architectural consultant: Maryland Historical Trust

Secretary and Contact: Elaine Rice Bachmann
State Archivist and Commissioner of Land Patents; Secretary, State House Trust

Maryland State Archives

350 Rowe Boulevard

Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: (410) 260 6401

Fax: (410) 974 3895

E-mail: elaine.bachmann@maryland.gov

The State House Trust was created in 1969 to oversee the area inside State Circle in Annapolis, including the State House. This oversight extends to the use of buildings and grounds and any exhibits on display there. The Trust supervises all improvements, alterations, additions, landscaping, and repairs within that area.

The Trust consists of four ex officio members (or their designees) who serve as trustees. Members of the Trust may appoint from one to three nonvoting associate members who are qualified by experience and interest in historical preservation. The Trust retains an architect as a consultant.

Use of the Senate and House Chambers, the Senate and House Lounges, and the Governor's Reception Room

The use of the Senate Chamber and Lounge is the responsibility of the Office of the President of the Senate. The use of the House Chamber and Lounge is the responsibility of the Office of the Speaker of the House. The use of the Governor's Reception Room is the responsibility of the Governor's Office.

Receptions and other Ceremonial Events

Due to the historical significance of the building and limited space and facilities, the Trust must confine the use of the State House and grounds to official state functions and events or to business normally conducted in the State House. The Trust will consider the use of the State House by non--state and non--legislative agencies only if such requests are for events which directly relate to the celebration of the history of the State House. The Trust prohibits the use of the State House for commercial ventures, fundraising activities, or private ceremonies, such as weddings.

Requests for the use of the State House for receptions and/or ceremonies must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Trust. Incomplete requests will not be reviewed by the Trust until all required information has been submitted. In order to be considered, the request must include the following:

1) the nature and theme of the reception or ceremony

2) the number of people expected to attend

3) who is to be invited and the criteria for invitations

4) proposed date and time

5) a floorplan indicating the placement of tables for food and refreshments, chairs, podiums, or sound equipment

6) menu, if light refreshments are to be served

7) name, address, and phone number of caterer

8) a statement of commitment to paying any costs involved in the reception and/or ceremony for clean--up, overtime cost of security, and the cost of any damage to the buildings, grounds, furnishings, or exhibits resulting from the event.

In consideration of the historic nature of the building as well as fire code regulations, the Trust must restrict attendance to receptions or ceremonies on the first floor of the State House to approximately 300 people. Due to limited space and inadequate facilities, food service is confined to cold hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments. Food preparation or cooking in the State House is prohibited. Hard liquor and mixed alcoholic drinks are also prohibited. The organization submitting the request or the caterer contracted for the event is responsible for cleanup and removal of trash.

Smoking is prohibited anywhere in the State House. Food and drinks are prohibited in the House and Senate Chambers.

An invitation list must be submitted to the Secretary one week prior to any event approved by the Trust for use by building security.

Photography or Filming in the State House

Anyone who wishes to photograph or film in the State House for the purposes of a publication, exhibit, or broadcasting for other than short (less than 3 minutes) public service announcements by state agencies and spontaneous news casts must submit a written proposal to the Secretary of the Trust for consideration by the Trust. Proposals will not be reviewed until all required information has been submitted. In order to be considered, the proposal must include the following:

1) purpose of the filming

2) proposed date and time, including amount of time needed to complete the filming

3) type of equipment to be used, including type of lighting, and the number of people in the film crew

4) area(s) in the State House to be filmed.

The Secretary is responsible for scheduling filming activities in the State House in conjunction with the Offices of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and must be present during filming in the Old Senate Chamber. A copy of all videotapes or photographs must be submitted to the Maryland State Archives. The Trust prohibits the use of images of the State House for commercial ventures.

Photography or filming in the State House for personal use is permitted. However, bridal and wedding photography is not permitted in the State House or on the outside steps of the building. The use of the State House grounds for bridal and wedding photography is permitted, but photography must not interfere with pedestrian traffic on the walkways in any way. In addition, care must be taken that no damage is done to the grass or to the landscaping of the grounds.

Public Areas of the State House

The areas of the State House which are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day are on the first floor and include: the Old Senate Chamber, the Stairwell Room, the Senate Committee Room, the Rotunda, the Senate and House Chambers, and the lobby. Non-public areas of the State House may only be seen by special arrangement. In the interest of public safety, the State House dome is closed to visitors at all times.

Please address requests for use of the State House or for information to:

Elaine Rice Bachmann

Secretary of the State House Trust

The Maryland State Archives

350 Rowe Boulevard

Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: (410) 260 6401/Fax: (410) 974 3895