This is the first part of a four-part mini-series on Annapolis, MD. The series covers Historic Annapolis, Family Water Fun, Places to Eat and Places to Stay.
Annapolis, MD
Just about 30 minutes from Washington, DC; Annapolis, MD is the perfect location for a weekend getaway. With history exuding from every street corner, and with hundreds of dining options, Annapolis draws us back repeatedly. If seafood calls your name and watersports are your game, Annapolis is a must-do this year.
Annapolis for History
The Maryland State House is the oldest, continuously used statehouse in the country. Started in 1772 and completed after the American Revolution in 1779, it is also the only state capital building to ever be used as the peacetime capital of the United States. The impressive wooden dome, which was added in 1794, is the largest and oldest of its kind in the United States.
All roads lead to the Maryland Statehouse. Well, not quite ALL roads.
Typically open from 9 am to 5 pm, the building is available for self-guided tours which allows you to spend time taking photos and reading the well-documented history of the place.
Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis
Beautiful marble stairs
Ornate marble column capital at Maryland Statehouse
Assembly room at Maryland Statehouse
One of two Tiffany Glass ceilings in Maryland State House
Second of two Tiffany Glass ceilings in Maryland State House
Be sure to get a selfie with George, standing exactly where he did when he resigned his military commission before becoming our first president.
Getting a selfie with George Washington
If historic homes are your thing, two very famous ones are around the corner from each other and are just minutes from the State House.
William Paca House (188 Prince George Street) was built in the 1760’s by one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Lovingly restored by Historic Annapolis, this historic landmark is available for tours spring through fall.
William Paca House
Backyard of William Paca House
Wm. Paca House interior
Wm. Paca House interior
Wm. Paca House interior
Wm. Paca House fireplace
Equally impressive is the William Paca House formal gardens, presently undergoing maintenance. Hard to believe, but during most of the 20th century, this area was covered by Carvel Hall, Annapolis’ finest hotel of the early 1900’s.
Wm. Paca House summerhouse in the garden accessible by a small Chinese bridge
Wm. Paca House garden being renovated
Around the corner, you can look and marvel at the James Brice House (42 East Street) – probably the largest and most architecturally important of all the homes in Annapolis. Check with Historic Annapolis for hard hat tour opportunities.
James Brice House
Archaeologists are carefully detailing the entire James Brice House
With an all-star team of historians, archaeologists, preservationists and more, this project will probably take many years to complete, but will be a monumentally valuable and museum-quality example of pre-revolutionary architecture.
Archaeologists are carefully detailing the basement of the James Brice House
As you can see in these photos, they are taking their work very seriously.
Got more time?
Consider the Banneker-Douglas Museum of African-American Heritage or the U.S. Naval Academy.
Banneker-Douglass Museum of African-American History
One of the many historic canons at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD
Did you miss Part One, Part Two, Part Three, or Part Four of our mini-series on Annapolis? If you think we missed something notable about Annapolis, please let us know in the comments section below. Click here to continue reading.
Other past articles you might like about Annapolis:
See Annapolis – by land or by sea
Seafood lovers rejoice in Annapolis, MD
Disclosure: We were hosted on this trip by VisitAnnapolis; but, as always, impressions and opinions are strictly our own.