Existing comment:
The boat, which stands in the lobby, has this sign:
The Maryland Federalist
A Flagship for Maryland
Original: 1788 Recreated: 1988
The Maryland Federalist was built in 1988 for Maryland's commemoration of the bicentennial of the US Constitution. She is a full-sized replica of the 15-foot ship, Federalist, that was built in 1788 by the merchants of Baltimore to celebrate Maryland's ratification of the Constitution on April 18, 1788. Three days later, Baltimore held a huge parade and picnic in honor of the ratification, and the tiny ship, Federalist, was the centerpiece of the event.
Symbolizing the Ship of State and rigged with seven sails in honor of Maryland's place as the seventh state to ratify, the Federalist was pulled through the streets of Baltimore on a horse-drawn cart. She was then sailed by Captain Joshua Barney to Mt Vernon and presented as a gift to George Washington from the grateful citizens of Baltimore. Sadly, the little ship sank six weeks later in a hurricane.
The Maryland Federalist was built with private funds and given to the state in 1988. It is now part of the Maryland State Archives' education outreach program. |