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DGS Plays a Central Role in Preserving Maryland’s Historic State House

RotundaNewsANNAPOLIS — Department of General Services oversight of the restoration of the Old Senate Chamber OSC Restoration in the State House, completed in 2015, is a high-profile accomplishment. It’s a testament to the knowledge, professionalism and commitment on the part of the employees from DGS, the Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland State Archives who were involved in the meticulous, painstaking work. Since the Chamber’s re-opening, visitors from across the nation and around the world have come to see where George Washington resigned his military commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army on Dec. 23, 1783.

There have been other, less visible, but equally important projects overseen by DGS at the nation’s oldest state house in continuous use. For example, with assistance from the Maryland Historical Trust, the agency completed a maintenance project to restore the interior windows at the upper section of the State House Rotunda in late 2013. These windows are original to the construction of the State House Dome, and it was the first time that they were removed and fully restored according to Maryland Historical Trust specifications and recommendations.

Other State House renovations overseen by DGS over the years include refurbishing the exterior dome in 2012, re-creation of the Old House of Delegates Chamber in 2011, and replacing the decorative acorn that sits atop the State House dome in 1996.

“DGS is proud of its stewardship of the State House building,” said Secretary Gail Bassette. “We approach every project with respect for the building’s important place in the nation’s history and attention to historical detail.”


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