After touring the Naval Academy, we merely walked off the base into Historic Annapolis.
Amid the busy streets of traffic lights and automobiles, was 18th century charm.
Our first stop was the Maryland Statehouse, the dome of which was easily seen from the Naval Academy.
This 18th century statehouse continues to serve as Maryland’s statehouse today, making it America’s oldest statehouse in continuous use.
NATION’S CAPITOL
It also has the grand distinction of having served for a time as the nation’s capital, at the end of the American Revolution, from November 26, 1783, to August 13, 1784, under the Articles of Confederation.
On December 23, 1783, General Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, inside the Old Senate Chamber.
While there we saw the draft of his resignation speech written in his own handwriting.
Ratification of the Treaty of Paris by Congress occurred here on January 17, 1784, which ended the American Revolution.
On May 7, 1784, Thomas Jefferson was appointed minister plenipotentiary to France.
1786 ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION
Seeking to tame the trade issues between the states, the Annapolis Convention convened at the statehouse from September 11-14, 1786.
Since delegates arrived from only five states, the required quorum was unmet.
From this event, the states called for a Constitutional Convention to: devise such further provisions as shall appear to them necessary to render the constitution of the federal government adequate to the exigencies of the Union…
RESTORATION TO 18TH CENTURY APPEARANCE
The plaster from 1906 is being removed, to restore the room to its 18th century appearance that General Washington would have known.
While there I picked up a flyer asking the public for help with its research. They are looking for 18th century documents, 19th century photographs and drawings, artifacts salvaged during the 1876 renovation, etc.
