Tuesday Treasures #25 - Treasures in the State House

This is my third posting on the Maryland State House that we visited on Monday September, 26th.  Years ago when I taught 4th grade a favorite field trip was to go to Annapolis and have a guided walking tour with a docent in Colonial garb.  One of the stops was the State House.  Since then major renovations were done and the inside looked very different from what I remembered.

A major event in the history of the State House was that it was the first peacetime capitol of our country.  In that capacity General George Washington came here to resign as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

There is a lot to see and read.  This post will focus on the historical aspects.

This painting hangs in the stairwell.

The first Colonial governor of Maryland, appointed by his brother, Lord Baltimore, the proprietor of the Colony.  Maryland was founded with the intent to have religious freedom.

Clarence Blount, the first African American elected to serve in the state legislature.

Mary Risteau, the first woman elected to the state legislature.

A plaque commemorating William Henson, a Maryland son.

Inside an anteroom to the Old Senate chamber is this collection of faces from the past.

Here's Dan standing with George.

Annapolis is a beautiful city to visit.  The State House is just one stop of many historical places to visit while you are there.

Inside Maryland's State House

The Maryland State House underwent renovation a few years back.  It's looking very good these days.

Here's the current Senate chamber. It's in the part of the State House added on in the 20th century.

A Tiffany glass feature in the hall ceiling.

The House chamber is bigger but with similar marble features.

In the 18th century part of the State House are lovely columns,

arches,

and the inside of the dome.

The old Senate chamber has been restored to what it looked like when Washington resigned his commission.

The old House chamber was restored to the Victorian age decor.

The ceiling in there was gorgeous.

More to come on the Maryland State House.

WW - Annapolis - Maryland's State House

Photos from inside on a future post.

A Worthwhile Cause

Last Friday I attended a luncheon giving to honor those of us who supported a school child in Haiti last year through Community Coalition for Haiti.

My sister, Marie became very involved with this charity first as a volunteer, then as a part time staff member, and now as a full time staffer.

I signed up again this year to support the same little girl who will now be attending kindergarten.  She was a preschooler last year.  My $360 donation will buy her books, provide a nutritious meal, pay for a uniform and school fees.  This is especially important because as in many developing countries, sending girls to school is not a high priority.  If a family has the money, boys attend school first.

CCHaiti has three primary objectives: improve health care, support education and community development.  Read more about these here.

If you too want to support a child, it will be money well-spent.

Click here.

And the flowers?  They were the centerpiece at the table I sat at and I got to bring them home.