Historical Beginnings

As you see it today, Government House is a Georgian-style country house. When it was built in 1870, it was of the fashionable style of the period, a Victorian mansion with a mansard roof and Italianate arched windows.  Visitors to the house entered through magnificent walnut doors, carved with the Maryland coat of arms and symbols of Maryland industry and agriculture. The Victorian library now recalls its original ambience, its panels and rondels from those doors can be seen there.

While it is now the second largest Governor’s residence in the United States, this was not the first governor's residence in Annapolis. Preservation Maryland recalls that in 1733, the General Assembly authorized the purchase of land and construction of an official residence for the governor, but it was not until 1742 that Governor Thomas Bladen purchased a four-acre plot near College Creek and a dwelling was begun. Because of a dispute between Bladen and the House of Delegates, this house was never completed. After the Revolutionary War, the unfinished building was turned over to St. John's College and renamed McDowell Hall, after the college's first president.

The search for a suitable residence for the governor resulted in the acquisition of the Jennings House, which was leased by Governor Horatio Sharpe. In 1769, it was purchased by Governor Robert Eden, Maryland's last provincial governor. After his departure, the house was confiscated by the state and was used as the governor's residence for the next 90 years. In 1866, the Jennings House was sold to the U.S. Naval Academy and, in 1868, land was purchased on State Circle for a new Governor's residence. The architect was Baltimore-based R. Snowden Andrews. Ironically, he was a Confederate artillery commander and diplomat during the Civil War, who following the war came back to Maryland to raise his family. Government House was ready in 1870 for its first occupants, Governor Oden Bowie and his family. Bowie, a former slave holder, who 70 of his former slaves fought for the Union Army.  Maryland’s history is indeed complex.

In 1935-36, the conversion of Government House to its present appearance took place and, in 1947, more renovations, including cleaning, painting, and roof repairs were completed. In 1987, a new skylight by Maryland craftsmen was installed and, in 1990, a fountain featuring Maryland symbols was placed in the garden.

Throughout Government House are portraits of Queen Henrietta Maria, after whom Maryland was named, and Charles Calvert, Fifth Lord Baltimore. The portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria was painted in 1901 by Florence MacKubin after the original by Anthony Van Dyck, which hangs in Warwick Castle in England. The State Dining Room features the portrait of the Sharpe Family painted in 1753 and attributed to Arthur Devis. A portrait bust of Harriet Tubman, displayed on a wooden pedestal made from wood of Maryland’s historic Wye Oak, is displayed in the Conservatory. Additionally, there are portraits of Maryland’s First Ladies and official hostesses throughout Government House, including lining the wall of the official staircase.