Maryland State House

Maryland

The Maryland State House, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is a historic and architecturally significant building dating back to 1772. It is the oldest state capitol in the United States continuously used for legislative purposes and currently houses the Maryland General Assembly as well as the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor. Notably, it served as the capitol of the United States Congress of the Confederation from 1783 to 1784, where pivotal events such as George Washington's resignation as commander-in-chief and the ratification of the Treaty of Paris took place, formally ending the American Revolutionary War. The building features the largest wooden dome in the U.S. constructed without nails, designed with specifications from Benjamin Franklin. Its Georgian style architecture includes a two-story brick structure with a distinctive octagonal dome, portico, and large arched windows. The State House also contains an annex built in the early 20th century that houses the Senate and House of Delegates chambers adorned with black and gold Italian marble and notable artwork including Edwin White's 1858 painting "Washington Resigning His Commission." The surrounding grounds include Lawyers Mall, a space dedicated to First Amendment activities and memorials to prominent legal figures such as Thurgood Marshall. The building is a National Historic Landmark and continues to be a symbol of Maryland's rich political and architectural heritage.