MD State House Celebrates 250th Birthday, Eyes $34M Restoration Project

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland State House celebrated its 250th birthday on Monday. The Annapolis landmark is now eyeing a major restoration project to preserve this history.

Gov. Larry Hogan issued a proclamation to honor the property's storied past. That official decree is posted here.

“It is an incredible honor every day to serve in the oldest continuously operating State House in America, and to reflect on all the historic events that have occurred in this incredible building,” Hogan said in a press release. “We are just as committed to the State House’s future as we are to its historic past, which is why we have launched the most significant restoration of the iconic State House dome in decades."

The dome project advanced in January when the Maryland Board of Public Works awarded a $1.5 million construction contract to the Christman Company.

This is the first part of a $34 million proposal to restore the State House's exterior and its grounds. A full outline of the plan is available here.

"This national treasure will continue to stand strong for generations to come," Hogan said.

Joseph Horatio Anderson designed the State House in the 18th century. The last colonial governor, Robert Eden, laid the cornerstone on March 28, 1772.

While the State House was still under construction, it served as the United States' first peacetime capitol. The Continental Congress met there from November 1783 through August 1784.

During that stretch, the U.S. and Great Britain ratified the Treaty of Paris to officially end the American Revolution. George Washington, who was a general at that time, then visited the State House to resign as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

The U.S. Department of the Interior designated the building as a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1960. This was the first state house in the country to earn that honor.

"On the occasion of this anniversary, I encourage all Marylanders to visit our State House and learn more about its remarkable history,” Hogan said.

The Maryland State House is open to visitors daily. Guests can browse this webpage to learn more about the property.

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