Maryland State House, Old Senate Chamber
In December 2012, we had an opportunity to assist in the documentation phase of the restoration of the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, MD. As the Maryland State Archives describes the Chamber on its history website “The jewel of the Maryland State House is the Old Senate Chamber, where the Continental Congress met while Annapolis was the capital of the United States from November 1783 – August 1784. It was here that General George Washington, on December 23, 1783, came before Congress to resign his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in an emotional ceremony.”
“Maryland’s Old Senate Chamber is not only regarded as one of the most historic and hallowed rooms in our nation’s history. Designed by Annapolis architect, Joseph Horatio Anderson, it was also considered to be one of the most architecturally elegant and refined public spaces in Colonial America. Featuring a gallery, described as “more elegant than required” balanced on the opposite wall by an ornately carved niche, the Old Senate Chamber was the embodiment of Annapolis-style design and craftsmanship.”
Our task was to assist in locating any remaining elements of original construction from that period and record them.
While selectively removing sections of the later entablature, we helped identify the possible lower edge and attachment points of the original.
Other parts of the project were careful removal of the later gallery and pediment over the Speaker’s Niche for additional clues.
Probably the most rewarding and definitive evidence discovered, was during the careful removal of the later window trim.
It was here that we found an original, complete area of plaster with paint finish.
This is a very interesting and well-planned project that will bring an important piece of history alive again.
State House Photo Gallery
