June 14, 2009: Flag Day Celebration and Unveiling of new John Shaw Flag in the State House, with First Lady Katie O'Malley and State Archivist Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse. When Congress met in Annapolis from November 1783 - August 1784, cabinetmaker and superintendent of the State House, John Shaw, made a flag to fly over the State House. While Congress was meeting in the Old Senate Chamber, George Washingto came before it to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War.
For the bicentennials of these pivotal events in 1983 - 1984, the Archives worked with orginal records relating in its collections to recreate the John Shaw flag and this flag was used throughout the celebrations. However, a few years later, an image of Annapolis in the late 18th century was discovered and the image of the Shaw flag indicated that the recreated flag was not correct. To honor the 225th anniversary of Congress meeting in Annapolis, the Archives worked with the Rev. Richardson Libby, a local vexillogolist (flag expert), to create a more historically accurate John Shaw flag. In his remarks, Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse outlined the history and significance of the Shaw flag.
December 22, 2008: Dinner Celebrating 225th Anniversary of Washington's Resignation. Exactly 200 years after the city of Annapolis held a dinner in honor of George Washington, the State House Trust and the Friends of the Maryland State Archives hosted a gala dinner in the Old Senate Chamber to celebrate the 225th anniversary of this pivotal moment in early US history. Governor Martin O'Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. and Speaker Michael E. Busch were in attendance for the first dinner ever held in the Old Senate Chamber. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for a state-of-the-art display case for Washington's personal copy of his resignation speech which the state purchased in January 2007.
February 19, 2007: Unveiling of George Washington's personal copy of his resignation speech in the State House Rotunda. On December 23, 1783, George Washington came before the Continental Congress, then meeting in Annapolis, to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, thus setting a precedent that is to this day at the foundation of American government - the authority of the civilian government over the military. General Washington came to Annapolis with no real idea of how and when Congress wished him to tender his resignation. On receiving their instructions, the general wrote his brief and very moving remarks. As he left the Old Senate Chamber to return to Mt. Vernon with the intention of having his Christimas dinner at home, he handed his personal copy of his remarks to a member of the committee that had arranged the ceremony. The document has remained within the family until now.
In January 2007, The Friends of the Archives completed the purchase of this speech, one the most nationally important documents in U.S. history that was still in private hands.
The purchase also included one of the only contemporary accounts of the ceremony from James McHenry, a member of Congress and former aide to General Washington. McHenry wrote a beautiful description of the events to his wife-to-be Peggy Caldwell and this letter is also part of the purchase agreement.
The acquistion of these documents has been made possible by an appropriation from the state to match private donations from two Baltimore benefactors, Mr. Willard Hackerman and the Dorothy L. and Henry A. Rosenberg Foundtion, and the owners of the documents who wish to remain anonymous.
October 15, 2006: Book Signing
and Reception for My Unexpected Journey:
The Memoirs of Harry Roe Hughes at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The program included former Senator Paul Sarbanes, David C. Troy, president of the Friends of the Maryland State Archives; John W. Frece, who wrote the book with Governor Hughes; and State Archivist Edward C. Papenfuse, who welcomed the more than 100 guests to the Archives. Governor Hughes and John Frece greeted guests and signed many books for them.
