2015 Mid-Year Conference Attractions

 Annapolis Attractions

 Founded in 1692, the historic City of Annapolis has been alternatively referred to as the Sailing Capital of the World, the home of the United States Naval Academy, and the heart of the origin of the American federal government.  It is also a vibrant waterfront town with lots of cobblestone streets and walkways, specialty boutiques, historic homes, and loads of restaurants and taverns.  Here are a few highlights:

Maryland State House

The State House in Annapolis served as Capitol of the United States of America from November 1783 until August 1784.  Completed in 1779, it is the oldest State House in the nation still in continuous legislative use.  As the seat of the Continental Congress, under the very dome that overlooks the City today, General George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief on December 23, 1783, thereby establishing the authority of civilian government over the military might that today is the greatest in the world.  Two weeks later, on January 14, 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris in the same building, ending the Revolutionary War.  Don’t leave Annapolis without taking a leisurely walk through the building, taking in the impressive historic artifacts on display and imagining what it must have been like when America’s founding fathers gathered here in the Maryland State House 230 years before the House Chamber began serving as the set for filming the current dramatic hit series, “House of Cards.”

 United States Naval Academy

 Founded in 1845, the USNA campus is located along the waterfront northeast of the State Capital.  Its attractions include walking tours of Tecumseh Court and the majestic Naval Academy Chapel, where some of America’s finest students have long prepared for their future leadership positions ranging from heroic naval officers to President of the United States.  Here you may visit the crypt of John Paul Jones and observe the flag bearing his famous motto, “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” one of over 500 trophy flags whose collection was initiated by Act of Congress enacted during the War of 1812.  There are also innumerable paintings, prints, statues, medallions and model ships memorializing some of the greatest achievements of the worlds’ finest navy.  Enter Gate 1 and proceed to the Visitor Center.  Photo identification is required to enter the academy grounds.  For more information, check here:  http://www.usnabsd.com/for-visitors/

Historic Homes of Annapolis

A thriving port in the 18^th century, many of the original homes in the City of Annapolis are registered as historic sights and some of the grandest are open for tours.  They include two homes occupied by signers of the Declaration of Independence, namely, the Paca Home and Gardens at 186 Prince George’s St. and the Charles Carroll House at 107 Duke of Gloucester St.  The Chase-Lloyd House at 22 Maryland Ave. and the Hammon Harwood House across the street at 19 Maryland Ave. are additional spectacular homes from the Revolutionary era.  Specialty museums also dot the city’s landmarks, such as the Banneker Douglas African American Museum at 84 Franklin St., the Annapolis Maritime Museum at 723 Second St. across the Eastport bridge, the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the Annapolis Children’s Museum.

 Taverns

 Many of the inns along Main Street in Annapolis have been serving oysters and specialty brews since some of America’s most luminary political figures in history gathered here just as the State’s leading elected officials do so today.  Perhaps the most historic tavern in town is the basement of the Maryland Inn, which has changed very little over the past 200 years.  Other Annapolis dining institutions which have remained popular over the past couple of hundred years are McGarvey's, Fran O’Briens and Middleton’s.  Fine hotels and many other drinking and dining options stand near the waterfront, among them being Pusser’s Landing in the Marriott Hotel, the locals’ favorite deli, Chick & Ruth’s, and Buddy’s to experience Maryland’s world famous blue crabs.