Maryland's Oldest Public Building Reopens as History Museum

The renovated Old Treasury Building in Annapolis showcases the state's early history and complex past.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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After years of renovations, the Old Treasury Building in Annapolis, Maryland has reopened as a museum highlighting the state's founding and early history. The building, which dates back to the early 1700s, has hosted notable figures like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton, and now features replicated furniture and signage to transport visitors back in time. State leaders say the museum will acknowledge the complex history of Maryland, including the role of enslaved labor in the state's development.

Why it matters

The reopening of the Old Treasury Building provides a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with Maryland's rich history and understand the complex foundations upon which the state was built, including the role of slavery and the contributions of those whose names have been lost to time.

The details

The Old Treasury Building is the oldest surviving public building in Maryland. After undergoing extensive renovations, the building has been transformed into a museum showcasing Maryland's early history. Visitors can see replicated 18th century furniture and signage, as well as an original iron chest that was used by Maryland leaders to store the colony's treasure.

  • The Old Treasury Building dates back to the early 1700s, when Maryland was still a British colony.
  • The building has hosted notable historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton.
  • The museum officially opened to the public on February 10, 2026.

The players

Atif Chaudhry

The Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services.

Aruna Miller

The Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.

Elaine Rice Bachmann

The State Archivist of Maryland.

Bill Ferguson

The President of the Maryland Senate.

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What they’re saying

“When it was built, we were still a British colony at the time.”

— Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services

“Making this building the center of Maryland's economy in the 18th century.”

— Elaine Rice Bachmann, State Archivist

“In telling that story, we also have a venue for shedding light on the story of those whose names will never be known. The thousands of enslaved people upon whose labor Maryland was built.”

— Elaine Rice Bachmann, State Archivist

What’s next

The museum will follow the same operating hours as the nearby Statehouse, allowing visitors to explore Maryland's early history in Annapolis.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Old Treasury Building provides a valuable opportunity for Maryland to showcase its complex history, honoring the contributions of both the notable figures and the countless unnamed individuals whose labor helped build the state, including those who were enslaved.