ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 14, 2000) - Marble columns, designed by one of the most prominent architects in early 19th century America, will soon have a new home outside the Robert F. Sweeney District Court Building in Annapolis. Eight freestanding columns, the work of Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764-1820), will be installed in the plaza outside the court building fronting Rowe Boulevard, the gateway to Historic Annapolis.
Peta N. Richkus, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services, announced today the installation will begin this week. Positioning of the columns is planned for Saturday, February 19, weather permitting.
"These historic columns will allow 21st century Marylanders an opportunity to see the work of an internationally-known architect whose designs are world renown," said Secretary Richkus. "We have preserved and restored a piece of the State's past and are prominently placing them at a site that will be seen by hundreds of people every day."
Annapolis Mayor Dean L. Johnson conceived the idea of locating the columns on the District Court site. Back in 1994, when the Mayor was a City Alderman, he spearheaded community meetings dealing with the design of the building and suggested using the columns.
"I thought this would be an opportunity to display an historical element from Annapolis' past at the gateway to our historic downtown area," said Mayor Johnson. "In the future, when landscaping matures, these columns will help provide a park-like setting along Rowe Boulevard."
Benjamin Latrobe, who helped design the United States Capitol Building in Washington and one of Maryland's most famous churches, the Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore, was commissioned to design the Baltimore Exchange and Custom House in 1815. The Italian marble columns were made for the Exchange which was built from 1816-1820 at Water and Gay streets, a site now occupied by the United States Customs Building. Considered one of the most important public buildings in early 19th century America, the Exchange housed a branch of the Bank of The United States, Stock Exchange, Custom House, and other mercantile offices.
When the Exchange was torn down in 1901-02, the columns were used in the Court of Appeals Building, across the street from the Maryland State House in Annapolis. When the Court of Appeals Building was razed in 1972, the columns were stored near the Maryland Correctional Institution in Jessup.
Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, Maryland State Archivist, said: "The Maryland State Archives and the Maryland Commission on Artistic Property, which owns these beautiful columns, are delighted that they are going to be in such a visible position at the entrance to Maryland's capital city. They are an important part of the state's architectural heritage and are superb examples of Latrobe's work. Placing them outside of the new Robert F. Sweeney District Court Building will provide a visual connection to Baltimore and to the old Court of Appeals Building which stood across from the State House until 1972. The Department of General Services is to be commended for its vision in incorporating these columns into this new courthouse."
The restoration of the columns was performed by Atlantic Refinishing & Restoration, Inc., of Waldorf. Other projects handled by Atlantic included work at the Lincoln Memorial, the White House Visitors' Center, and the U. S. Supreme Court Building. The design for the installation was handled by Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects of Baltimore.
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