O'Malley Gives a Sneak Peek into the Old Senate Chamber

On a press tour this Friday, Governor Martin O’Malley gave the media their first look at the Old Senate Chamber since the room’s doors were closed to the public nearly two years ago as part of the restoration.

Governor Martin O'Malley talks to the press about the restoration of the Old Senate Chamber. Image taken 16 January 2015.

“This room has to be the most significant...in this State House,” the governor, whose term will end next week, told reporters, “How do you walk into this room without thinking of those men and women who made this country...at such a pivotal time?”

The press were treated to an exclusive visit to the site, where they were able to get a glimpse of the freshly-carved ornamental cornice, the reconstructed gallery and fireplace, and parts of the reclaimed heart pine which will serve to make up the period flooring. Every bit of this careful restoration is intended to create what we believe to be the appearance of the room in 1783, when one delegate described it as “the prettyest in America.”[1]

The niche, as it appears now, and the recreated dais under construction. Image taken 16 January 2015.

Detail of the gallery and gallery columns. Image taken 16 January 2015.

To hear more about O’Malley’s visit to the Old Senate Chamber, check out this video clip from the Baltimore Sun.

We hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek into the Old Senate Chamber. The room is now rapidly approaching completion and will be open to the public in early 2015. Until then, stay tuned to the blog for more updates!

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[1] Smith, Paul H., ed., Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 2000. Hugh Williamson to William Blount, 28 November 1783, p.166.