Government House

Photos Video Map Information: State Circle 410-260-3930 Web site Tours are Monday, Wedneday, Friday, from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. by appointment only Related Stories: Christmas at the governor's mansion Tempers flare in fountain flap Advertisement

A glance between the bars of the wrought iron fence surrounding this impressive mansion, just across the street from the Maryland State House, and you might wonder what wealthy landowner owns such grand accomodations — and how high their monthly mortgage payment is.

However, this large country house is Government House — more commonly known as the governor's mansion — and is home to Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, his wife Katie and their four children: Grace, Tara, William and Jack.

Built in 1868 as a Victorian mansion, renovations of the Government House in 1935 expanded the building and turned it into a five-part Georgian house, reminiscent of the style of colonial houses such as the Hammond-Harwood House. It was built after a long search for a permanent home for Maryland's governor. The first residence — never completed after a dispute between the governor and the House of Delegates — was donated to St. John's College and became McDowell Hall. The second was Jennings House, confiscated by the state and used as the governor's residence until it was sold to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1866.

Inside, boldly colored walls serve as a backdrop to the decorative pieces of Potthast furniture and beautiful paintings in each of the seven public rooms. A sweeping, curved staircase welcomes guests in the Entrance Hall. An elegant chandelier and a painted portrayal of Governor Horatio Sharpe's family watch over diners in the State Dining Room. Above the Drawing Room's mantel hangs a painting of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, the famous portraitist who created many famous images of the Founding Fathers. And in the Victorian Library, panels from the original walnut door that greeted visitors to the mansion are on display, with symbols of Maryland's industry and agriculture carved deep into the wood.

A relatively recent addition to the mansion rests in the garden — a Victorian Fountain that includes symbols representing Maryland, such as crabs, terrapins, and the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird. It was the inspiration of former Governor William Donald Schaefer and his official hostess Hilda Mae Snoops, whom the fountain was dedicated to in 1994.

Government House is administered by the Government House Trust. Established in 1980, it plays a role in the care and preservation of the governor's mansion.