Maryland State House – U.S. Capitols Challenge
There are some travel moments that feel interesting.
And then there are moments that feel historic.
Our visit to the Maryland State House was the latter.
What began as a fun goal, visiting all 50 U.S. State Capitols, has transformed into something much deeper. With every stop, we are not just checking a building off a list. We are stepping into history. We are standing where decisions were made that shaped our nation. We are walking floors worn smooth by centuries of leadership, debate, courage, and conflict.
At the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, we stood in the very room where George Washington resigned his military commission on December 23, 1783.
That moment alone would make this Capitol extraordinary.
But the Maryland State House offers far more than a single historic event. Built between 1772 and 1779, it is the oldest state capitol in the United States still in continuous legislative use. For a brief period, from November 26, 1783, to August 13, 1784, it even served as the Capitol of the United States.
If you love American history, architecture, symbolism, or simply understanding how our democracy continues to function today, visiting the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis is an unforgettable experience.
The Maryland State House
Located in the heart of historic Annapolis, the building’s red brick exterior and white-trimmed windows reflect colonial architecture at its finest.
Construction began in 1772 and was completed in 1779.
Over the centuries, additions and renovations have modernized parts of the structure, but the historic core remains intact.
What makes this building truly remarkable is that it has never stopped functioning as a legislative building.
While many early state capitols were replaced, repurposed, or turned into museums, the Maryland State House remains active. Laws are debated and passed here. Senators and delegates still convene in their chambers.
It is not a relic.
It is living history.
Standing Where Washington Resigned His Commission
The Old Senate Chamber is perhaps the most powerful room in the building.
It was here, before Congress, that George Washington formally resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
The Revolutionary War had ended.
Washington could have held onto power. He was widely admired, deeply respected, and trusted by his troops and the public. Many leaders throughout world history, after securing military victory, would have transitioned directly into long-term rule.
Washington did something radically different.
He stepped down.
He relinquished power.
In doing so, he set a precedent that would shape the very foundations of American democracy: civilian control of the military and the peaceful transfer of authority.
Standing in that chamber, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of that decision. The room is modest compared to modern legislative halls, but that modesty almost amplifies its significance. You imagine the delegates gathered. You imagine Washington speaking with composure. You imagine the silence that followed.
It is one thing to read about this moment in a textbook.
It is another to stand exactly where it happened.
As part of our 50 State Capitol Challenge, we have stood in many rooms filled with history. But this one felt different. It felt foundational.
It made us reflect on leadership, not as an accumulation of power, but as the willingness to release it for the greater good.
The Archives Room: Preserving the Past
The Archives Room underscores another essential function of a state capitol: preservation.
Today, it exhibits the history of the Maryland State House, its iconic dome, and the evolution of the surrounding buildings on State Circle.
It tells the story of how this space has grown and changed over time.
In a world that moves quickly and forgets easily, spaces like this slow us down.
They remind us that progress is layered. That history is built one choice at a time. And that understanding of where we’ve been shapes how we move forward.
They remind us that what happened matters.
The Old House of Delegates Chamber
Inside the historic Old House of Delegates Chamber at the Maryland State House, Maryland redefined who could participate in government.
In 1826, the Jewish Rights Act removed the Christian oath requirement, allowing Jewish citizens to hold public office.
During the Civil War era, Maryland abolished slavery through its 1864 constitution.
Just three years later, the 1867 Constitution, still in effect today, reshaped the structure of state government.
This chamber stands as a reminder that freedom and inclusion expanded here, one decision at a time.
The State House Caucus Room
The State House Caucus Room offers a more intimate glimpse into governance.
In many ways, these quieter rooms are just as important as the grand chambers. Decisions often take shape long before they reach the public floor.
Viewing this space reminds you that democracy operates at multiple levels.
The Senate Chamber: Where 47 Senators Still Serve
While the Old Senate Chamber preserves the past, the current Maryland Senate Chamber reflects the present.
The Maryland State Senate consists of 47 senators who continue to meet in this historic building.
The chamber layout reflects order and tradition. The four committee chairs sit closest to the rostrum, a visible symbol of leadership and responsibility.
Understanding how the room is arranged reminds you that government is both structured and human. Decisions are debated. Policies are shaped. Voices rise and fall. Compromise is attempted. Positions are defended.
The same building that hosted George Washington’s resignation still hosts modern debates.
Democracy evolves, but its foundation remains.
The House of Delegates Chamber: Since 1904
The Maryland House of Delegates Chamber has convened in its current room since 1904 and holds 141 delegates.
The room feels grand, with high ceilings and ornate detail. But what immediately draws the eye are the skylights. Stunning works created by Tiffany Studios.
Yes, the same Tiffany known for stained glass artistry designed the skylights that illuminate this chamber.
Light pours into the room not just functionally, but symbolically. Something is fitting about a legislative chamber bathed in colored light: transparency, illumination, and perspective.
It’s easy to focus only on political debates when thinking about state government. But architecture tells a story too. Design choices reflect values: openness, order, strength.
The House Chamber blends functionality with artistry in a way that honors both governance and history.
Art, Statues, and Symbols of Maryland
Throughout the Maryland State House, art tells the story of the state. Both inside the building and on the surrounding grounds.
Sculptures honor leaders, reformers, and defining moments in Maryland’s history. Some commemorate courage and sacrifice. Others reflect civic leadership, expansion of rights, and the evolving identity of the state.
State symbols also appear throughout the building:
- The Baltimore Oriole, Maryland’s state bird
- The Black-Eyed Susan, Maryland’s state flower
These details may seem small compared to legislative chambers or historic turning points, but they matter. Symbols and statues represent identity. They remind us that government buildings are more than functional spaces; they are living storytellers.
Capitols are not just about lawmaking.
They are about memory, identity, and the values a state chooses to honor. Expressed not only in policy, but in stone, wood, and art.
Capitols are not just about lawmaking. They are about storytelling.
And Maryland tells its story through both monumental events and quiet symbolism.
The Dome, the Acorn, and Franklin’s Lightning Rod
From the outside, the Maryland State House dome may not appear as massive or ornate as some others we’ve seen during our Capitol Challenge. But its symbolism is extraordinary.
Atop the dome sits a five-foot-tall acorn.
An acorn is an ancient symbol of strength, wisdom, and longevity. From a small seed grows a mighty oak. For a building that has stood since the 18th century and remains in use today, the symbolism feels intentional and fitting.
But the acorn serves more than a decorative purpose.
It stabilizes a 28-foot lightning rod. The largest lightning rod ever attached to a public or private building during the lifetime of Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin’s lightning rod design was revolutionary in its time, protecting buildings from destructive strikes. Here, atop the oldest state capitol still in use, that rod has guarded the structure for generations.
The metaphor writes itself.
Strength.
Stability.
Protection through storms.
The Governor’s Residence Across the Street
Directly across from the State House sits the historic Government House of Maryland, the official residence of the Governor of Maryland.
The proximity between the executive residence and the legislative building reflects the interconnected structure of state government.
Power is not centralized in one place. It is balanced.
A Short Walk to the Replica Liberty Bell
Just a short walk away at St. John’s College, you’ll find a replica of the Liberty Bell, similar to those displayed at other state Capitols across the country.
While the original Liberty Bell resides in Philadelphia, its message echoes across the country.
Seeing the replica so close to the Maryland State House reinforces how interconnected our early history truly was.
Annapolis was once the capital of the United States. Philadelphia played its role. So did New York. Our nation’s story was not built in one city; it unfolded across many.
Why This Visit Changed Our 50 State Capitol Challenge
When we began the 50 State Capitol Challenge, it was meant to be a fun adventure, a way to continue our explorations.
But somewhere along the way, it became something more.
Standing where Washington resigned. Seeing where 47 senators still sit. Looking up at an acorn that has weathered storms.
These experiences deepen your understanding of history in a way that reading alone cannot.
You begin to appreciate how fragile and how resilient democracy can be.
You see leadership not as dominance, but as service.
You understand that buildings are not just structures; they are locations of decisions that ripple across generations.
Planning Your Visit to the Maryland State Capitol
If you’re planning to visit the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, here are a few tips:
- Location: Downtown Annapolis, Maryland
- Time Needed: Allow at least 1–2 hours
- Tours: Check official hours before visiting, especially during legislative sessions
- Nearby Attractions: Historic Annapolis waterfront, St. John’s College, local shops and restaurants
Annapolis itself is charming and walkable, making it easy to pair your capitol visit with a full day of exploration.
Final Reflection: Standing Where Greatness Once Stood
When we began our 50 State Capitol Challenge, we thought it would simply be a fun way to explore and check off destinations across the country.
We didn’t expect it to deepen our understanding of American history.
We didn’t expect to stand in rooms where the foundation of democracy was shaped.
And we certainly didn’t expect moments like standing inside the Maryland State House, at the exact spot where George Washington voluntarily resigned his commission and forever changed the trajectory of leadership in this nation.
But that is the power of travel.
When you step into these spaces, history is no longer abstract. It becomes tangible. It becomes human. It becomes personal.
You start to see leadership differently.
You begin to understand how fragile and how resilient democracy can be.
You realize that these buildings are not just political centers; they are symbols of endurance, service, and responsibility.
And that realization is worth traveling for.
💡 Ready to Start Your Own 50 State Capitol Challenge?
If this story inspired you, we encourage you to begin your own State Capitol Challenge.
You don’t have to commit to all 50 at once. Start with one. Choose a nearby state. Plan a weekend around it. Walk the halls. Stand in the chambers. Read the plaques. Notice the art. Look up at the domes.
Every capitol tells a different story.
Every visit adds context.
Every stop builds appreciation.
If you’d like ideas, inspiration, or to see where we’ve already traveled, explore our other State Capitol stories.
Your journey can be just as enriching, and it might turn into something far greater than you expect!
Plan Your Capitol Visit with Confidence
If you’re ready to plan your own Maryland State Capitol visit or map out your broader Capitol Challenge, check out our Travel Resources page for a list of tools we trust and personally use.
From flights and hotels to tours, transportation, and trip-planning essentials, these are the resources that make our Capitol visits smooth and stress-free.
Planning well gives you the freedom to fully experience the moment when you arrive.
And trust us, when you’re standing in a room where history unfolded, you’ll want to be fully present!
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