Archives proposes historical facelift for Maryland State House
"We've overlooked the point in time that is crucial to understanding the development of our government," said Edward C. Papenfuse, the state archivist. Lawmakers meeting in the old House chamber expanded voting rights, adopted the constitution of 1864 that ended slavery and, three years later, approved a new constitution that still governs Maryland today.
To correct the oversight, the Maryland State Archives is proposing a partial restoration of the old House chamber to the high Victorian style of the late 1800s. It's the key element in a plan to make the State House more friendly to visitors, giving them a better understanding of the momentous events that took place in Annapolis since the original building was constructed between 1772 and 1779.