Doors of Annapolis

 My two friends and I spent three days in mid-June in the old historic part of Annapolis, where the streets are paved with brick.  I will not forget the sound the loose bricks made as we stood on the sidewalk when a car drove past.  

There were plenty of interesting doors, with many houses officially designated as historic sites. Sadly, I didn’t get a photo at one house where a plaque said, “Nothing important happened here.”

Annapolis is home of the US Naval Academy, so the
anchor door knocker is appropriate.

An artist spent some time embellishing the wall around this door.

The main door to the Maryland State House
is behind that tree.  On the tower, below the flags,
there is a gilded acorn, which represents
strength, or wisdom, or squirrels, or something.

Lion door knocker guarding the front
door of the Maryland State House.

We didn't quite know what to make of the Maryland motto on the state seal:

    Fatti maschii, parole femine

which supposedly means "strong deeds, gentle words" but literally translated

is "manly deeds, womanly words".  Is it enshrining patriarchy? 

Not sure.  Never looked up the Latin on the outer circle of the state seal.

This seal stands watch at
the front door.

Doorway into the House Chamber.

While we are here in the House Chamber,
I have to show you that yellow
duck-rabbit that someone left
to amuse us tourists.  Or is it 
a secret sign?  And in keeping
with my theme, there is a door at the
far end of the room for lobbyists to
sneak in and out.

The Maryland State House is of huge historic significance for the whole nation because it is where George Washington resigned his commission from the Continental Army in December 1783.  His action set a precedent, a door, if you will, to enter the country into civilian control of the military in the US.  That is, No Kings.  No Napoleon. At least so far.  

Mauve door with goose in pink bikini.

Gotta love a brick-red door with a 
patriotic door mat.