Coming Soon to the State House

The Maryland State Archives has created a master plan to improve the visitor experience to the State House. This will be implemented over the next 2 - 3 years and will greatly enhance the signage, entrance procedures and exhibits both on State Circle and within the building. The Old Treasury Building, the oldest public building in Annapolis, will also be open to the public with self-guided exhibits relating to early Maryland.

The Old Senate Chamber is undergoing extensive architectural investigation and all of the plaster has been removed from the walls, exposing the 18th century brickwork. This process has provided many clues as to how the room may have looked in the late 18th century. A panel of distinguished architectural historians is studying this evidence and will make recommendations for the restoration of the room. In the meantime, the public may enter the chamber and observe the evidence for themselves.

Another important change coming to the State House will be the recreation of the Old House of Delegates Chamber to its appearance of the late 19th century. This will provide the opportunity to interpret important events in 19th century Maryland, including the Constitution of 1864 which abolished slavery in the state. The room will be based on extensive documentation at the Archives of the 1876 design and decoration in the high Victorian fashion of the time of the State House by Baltimore architect George Frederick.