My husband’s Navy career brought us to settle down in Maryland. This relatively small state spans geographical and cultural regions ranging from the rural areas of the Eastern Shore, famed for seafood harvested from the Chesapeake Bay, to the mountains of the state’s far western counties, with the urban centers of Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the middle. As celebrated in James Michener’s novel CHESAPEAKE, set largely on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the Bay provides crabs, oysters, and rockfish as well as perennial controversy over environmental and economic issues.
Historically, Maryland claims distinction as the birthplace of our national anthem, written during the War of 1812 by Francis Scott Key at the battle of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore. Earlier, during the Revolutionary era, the Maryland State House, the oldest continuously used state capitol building in the country, served as the new nation’s capitol. There, in the Old Senate Chamber, George Washington resigned his commission as a commander-in-chief of the Continental army. In the same room, the Treaty of Paris was ratified, ending the American Revolution. The Maryland Inn on Main Street, a short walk from the State House, houses a restaurant named the Treaty of Paris after this event.
Annapolis, has claims to fame besides being the seat of three levels of government. It’s a major boating center, with annual sailboat and power boat shows downtown at the City Dock. Annapolis is the home of the United States Naval Academy, established in 1845. Across the street from the Academy stands the campus of St. John’s College, known for its unique Great Books program, in which all students study the same curriculum based on the foundational texts of Western civilization.
In Annapolis, walk through its eighteenth-century historic district, filled with phenomenal restaurants and tour the Naval Academy. The Academy’s magnificent chapel holding the tomb of John Paul Jones is a must see.
I’ve set several works of fiction in Annapolis, notably two vampire novels, Dark Changeling and its sequel, Child of Twilight, and a werewolf novel, Shadow of the Beast. My werewolf heroine works for the Maryland General Assembly in the same department where I do--fictionalized to protect the innocent, of course.
At the end of the week I’ll give a free PDF of SHADOW OF THE BEAST to one randomly chosen person who comments on my post. Please include your e-mail so I can award your prize.
I’m also a member of several groups and you can find me at any of them:
"Photographs Taken by Dan Smith and Provided by Author."
In Annapolis, walk through its eighteenth-century historic district, filled with phenomenal restaurants and tour the Naval Academy. The Academy’s magnificent chapel holding the tomb of John Paul Jones is a must see. 
One of my favorite states--lots of history, beautiful scenery and good eats. What's not to like?
ReplyDeleteMaryland was the state where I learned you gotta visit the location if you're going to use it in a book. I described the east, but had the scene set in the west. When we got back home to Michigan, I changed that scene very quickly. And yes, it's a fabulous state.
ReplyDeleteI was stationed in Maryland (Army) and thought it was a beautiful state. Darned nice people there too!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading the new book.
angeebart@gmail.com
Sounds like you have done as many military wives and made Maryland home. I would love to visit such a rich historical area again. I also traveled with my military husband (Air Force) and found that a wealth of history can be found in some of the smallest places. We spent 5 years in Panama and I learned so much about the country and the culture - I loved it!!!
ReplyDeleteMaryland has so much and is so rich in history. thanks for the beautiful post.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Good post, Margaret. Makes me want to visit! I love visiting our country's historical sites. Keep up the good work with your writing and congrats on being an EPPIE winner!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis looks good, I added to my list just in case also.
Thanks,
Jenn
I've actually been to Maryland! I know, not that remarkable, but when we're touring the 50 states, I have not been to that many. (grin) Fun look and I even remember some of it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the kind comments. The winner of SHADOW OF THE BEAST is Debby. I'll be sending the file this morning.
ReplyDeleteMargaret