Government House, Annapolis

Government House is the official residence of the governor of Maryland. It stands close to the State House and has served as the governor’s home since 1870. People walking through the government district often see the building from the outside, though it is not open for regular daily tours like a museum. The residence is mainly used for official work, including meetings, receptions, and events with visiting officials, community groups, and state organizations.

The house was completed in 1870 during the term of Governor Oden Bowie. Before that time, governors usually stayed in private homes while serving their terms. For many years the Edmund Jennings House served as the governor’s residence from 1753 to 1869. The state later built a permanent home where the governor could both live and host official events. Since Governor Oden Bowie in 1870, every Maryland governor has lived here while in office.

The house originally had a Victorian design with a mansard roof, a style common in the late nineteenth century. In 1935–1936 it was renovated to match the colonial architecture of nearby government buildings. The roof was replaced and the exterior rebuilt with brick, creating the Georgian and Colonial Revival appearance seen today. Inside are seven State Rooms, including the State Dining Room and the Federal Reception Room, used for official dinners, meetings, and ceremonies.