History

The United States Bicentennial was celebrated in 1976, marking the 200^th anniversary of the emergence of the United States as a nation.

In Maryland, the festivities included events and re-enactments at historic sites across the state, especially at sites related to the Revolutionary War.

In Annapolis, events centered around the Maryland State House, which served as the Capitol of the United States from November 26, 1783 until August 13, 1784. A commemorative plaque on the grounds reads: "In this State House. . . General George Washington resigned his commission before the Continental Congress December 23, 1783. Here, January 14, 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris to end the Revolutionary War, and, May 7, 1784, appointed Thomas Jefferson Minister Plenipotentiary. From here, September 14, 1786, the Annapolis Convention issued the call to the states that led to the Constitutional Convention".

Collection Origin

Gift of Katherine Menhennet, 1982 (76294/76349).

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of 1 box with 9 folders containing 41 photographs. The collection documents activities in various Maryland locations including Annapolis, St. Michael’s, St. Mary’s City, and Anne Arundel and Carroll Counties at the time of the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976. The photographs were made by photographers for the Maryland Division of Tourism, including Dave Harp, Bob Willis, and Tom Dorden.

Note: Related materials are found in the Maryland Bicentennial Commission Papers (acc. no. 76349), a collection in the Manuscripts Department of the Maryland Historical Society.

Note: The collection also contains 1 folder with negatives of a Maryland Bicentennial Commission publication.

Arrangement

The photographs are arranged by subject,under the following headings:

Ft. Frederick

Carroll Co. Farm Museum

Colonial Money

Naval Academy

St. Mary’s City

St. Michael’s

General Smallwood’s House

State House, Annapolis

Washington’s Headquarters

Container List

1 Box

Box 1: 9 Folders

Box 1, Folder 1
Ft. Frederick (?), 1976.

Excavation of building. 2 items.

Scenes of re-enactment. 7 items.

Box 1, Folder 2
Carroll Co. Farm Museum, 1976.

Scenes and demonstrations at museum, including blacksmithing. 6 items.

Box 1, Folder 3
Colonial Money.

Six dollar bill, dated Annapolis, 1774. 1 item.

Box 1, Folder 4
Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.), 1976.

Weekly dress parade of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. 1 item.

Box 1, Folder 5
St. Mary’s City, 1976.

Unidentified graveyard with 19^th century gravestones. 1 item.

Box 1, Folder 6
St. Michael’s, 1976.

Boat at dock. 3 items (1 image).

Box 1, Folder 7
General Smallwood’s House (Anne Arundel Co., Md.), 1976.

Scenes of costumed staff and visitors to General Smallwood’s home at Ft. Smallwood State Park. 6 items.

Box 1, Folder 8
State House (Annapolis, Md.), 1976.

Building and grounds. 9 items.

Re-enactment of the First Maryland Regiment of the American Revolution. 1 item.

Box 1, Folder 9
George Washington’s Headquarters in French and Indian War (Cumberland, Md.), 1976.

Frontal view of building. 4 items (1 image). © 2001 Maryland Historical Society - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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