Celebrate 300 Years of History!
n Annapolis history constantly surrounds you. It is being made in our governments, planned for in educational institutions and celebrated in our surroundings.
In 2008 and 2009 Annapolis will celebrate a most significant anniversary – 300 years of democracy. In 1708 Queen Anne of Great Britain gave Annapolis its City Charter, establishing a lasting representative government for some and marking the beginning of the struggle for full voting rights and emancipation for others.
This had significance far beyond the borders of our then small city. It resulted in the first lasting democratic representative processes in Maryland and the southern colonies of Great Britain and established a record of “firsts.” Northern colonies had democratic processes earlier, but in the south officials were all appointed by the governors or other colonial officials. The election of our first city council, consisting of a Mayor and Aldermen, has been unbroken down to the present day – from Amos Garrett to Ellen Moyer.
It was also significant in that it laid bare a reality of the 18th century world; that some people were neither free nor enfranchised. This marked the beginning of the struggle for voting rights for women and people of color through the 20th century.
The city has celebrated this important milestone in the past, most recently in 1983 at the 275th birthday. In 1908 a large celebration was held that included most churches and civic groups in the city. The railroads even offered reduced fares for day excursions for those in Baltimore and Washington who wished to join in Annapolis’ celebrations.
See the entire 1908 booklet (this is a very large file; please be patient).
In 2008 the city will make the effort to remember its history throughout the full 300 years of its history, the struggles, conflicts and cultures that have come together to make us what we are today. We also hope to look forward to remake our city into what we would like it to be in the future.
2007
This year, the Annapolis Charter 300 Committee geared up for a big push to begin projects that will come to fruition during 2008 and 2009 all over the City. William Donald Schaefer is Honorary Steering Committee Chair, Charles Weikel is Executive Director, Michael Fox is Events Director while the city is providing staff support. We have a growing honorary steering committee and additional working committees that will bring together and prioritize ideas generated, get the ideas adopted by implementation groups, and locate outside funding. Each of the projects needs to be self-funded. The official kick-off took place on Sept. 30, 2007, with the gala Queen Anne Ball.
Reading the Charter, detail. Lee Boynton, 1995
Certain awareness building efforts have already begun. A reproduction of Lee Boynton’s mural “Proclamation of the Charter” (above and right) is to tour through all eight wards of the city in the next two years. City pins and flags have emerged. Other events are to take place before 2008 - 2009 as opportunities present themselves.
We also believe in the importance of building a strong educational program to create awareness of our history with a most important group of citizens – our kids. We want to bring the history alive for them and hopefully into every classroom in the city. After all, they will be the ones making history in the future.
We also have a long list of suggested projects for 2008 - 2009 that breaks down into Academics, Ceremonial Events, Signature Events, and Commemorative Projects. Other permanent memorials, such as the refurbishing of the Southgate Fountain, may take place before 2008. There will be an interpretive sign plan that places some 14 historical and cultural signs on public rights of way. A Carr's Beach sign has been dedicated on Bembe Beach Road. There is also a nascent Plaque Annapolis project that would encourage building owners to self-fund a small bronze sign detailing their buildings’ history.
We have had lots of other ideas and are moving toward a citywide full calendar for 2008-2009. We are teaming with existing heritage resources such as HistoryQuest on Main Street and the Art in Public Places Commission. All input is welcome, and it's critical that this program reflect the full diversity of our wards. Please join us for this important celebration of our city’s history, present and future!
We would also like to express our appreciation for the organizations who are making Annapolis Alive! possible:
