Maryland State House

The Maryland State House was the first peacetime capitol of the United States and is the only state house ever to have served as the nation’s capitol.

Tours are available at the State House Visitor Center located on the first floor in the Archives Room. The Visitor Center is managed by the staff of the Maryland State Archives. There is no charge for the tours. Donations are encouraged to support the interpretation of the building. For school groups, adults need photo ID but students do not. Please be aware that backpacks and other bags will be searched.

You can see additional exhibits across the street. In the Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Senate Building there is the exhibit “Treasures from the Maryland State Archives” on the ground floor. There are changing exhibits on the second. On the third floor is the exhibit “Colonial Encounters in the Chesapeake: The Natural World of Native Americans, Europeans and Africans, 1585-1800. On the fourth floor is the exhibit “A Priceless Legacy: Charles Carroll of Carrollton’s Papers and the History of Maryland.

In the Casper R. Taylor House of Delegates Building there is a historical exhibit about the important events that have taken place in the State House and the history of the State House.

Every year, on President’s Day, the Maryland Senate holds a special celebration of Washington’s birthday in the Old Senate Chamber. A member of the Senate or a distinguished guest is invited to make remarks.