Statehouse from Chancellor Court

Photograph by Aubrey Bodine

C. 1950

Oldest State Capitol … The State House in Annapolis is the oldest state capitol still in use. Actually it is the third state house to be built in Maryland’s capital city; the first was erected in 1697. The present building dates from 1772 and has been the scene of many important events in American history. On December 23, 1783, George Washington resigned his commission in the Old Senate Chamber. Congress met there from November 1783 to June of 1784 and ratified the signing of the treaty of peace with England, which had been negotiated in Paris. The dome is of hand hewn wood held together with wooden pins.

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