The front entrance of the State House facing the Annapolis harbor opens onto the Rotunda of the 1772-1779 State House. This beautiful Rotunda is capped by the spectacular dome which still retains some of its original 18th century plasterwork.

On the walls of the Rotunda there are a number of commemorative plaques, including one honoring Matthew Alexander Henson, co-discoverer of the North Pole.

Hanging in the dome of the Rotunda is the John Shaw flag. It is a replica of a flag created by Annapolis cabinetmaker, John Shaw, for the Continental Congress when it met in the State House from November 1783 - August 1784. This Shaw flag was dedicated on Flag Day, June 14, 2009; it is based on a 1797 image of Annapolis showing the flag flying from State House dome.