MARYLAND WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

William J. Pencek, Jr., Executive Director

[photo, Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland] Raymond A. (Chip) Mason, Chair (chosen by Governor)
Paul S. Sarbanes, Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor)

Appointed by Governor: Atwood Collins III; J. Scott Plank; Albert H. Small; Robert J. Stevens; one vacancy.

Ex officio: Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Senate President; Michael E. Busch, House Speaker; David R. Brinkley, Secretary of Budget & Management; R. Michael Gill, Secretary of Commerce; Mark J. Belton, Secretary of Natural Resources; David R. Craig, Secretary of Planning; Pete K. Rahn, Secretary of Transportation.

Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland, August 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, U.S. Navy Blue Angels over Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland] c/o Division of Tourism, Film, & the Arts
Dept. of Commerce
World Trade Center Baltimore, 401 East Pratt St., 14th floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 - 3117
(410) 767-6289
e-mail: william.pencek@maryland.gov
web: www.starspangled200.org

U.S. Navy Blue Angels over Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland, September 2014. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

[photo, Gazela Primeiro & USCGC Eagle in port for Star-Spangled Spectacular, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland]
  • Annual Report, November 2014
  • Annual Report, November 2013
  • Annual Report, November 2012
  • Annual Report, November 2011
  • Annual Report, November 2010

  • Action Plan, October 27, 2009
    • Gazela Primeiro & USCGC Eagle in port for Star-Spangled Spectacular, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland, September 2014. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.
    Annual Report to Governor & General Assembly due Nov. 1.

    In September 2007, the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission was established by the Governor (Executive Order 01.01.2007.17). It was reauthorized in February 2010 and May 2011 (Executive Order 01.01.2010.02; Executive Order 01.01.2011.07).

    The Commission was charged with planning and coordinating Maryland's commemoration of the bicencentennial of the War of 1812. The Commission developed a social studies curriculum on the War of 1812 and its impact in Maryland; assisted with efforts to improve and protect historic sites with relevance to the War of 1812; and coordinated public and private events commemorating the bicentennial. It promoted Maryland's War of 1812 Bicentennial activities nationally and internationally; identified, documented, and preserved the State's historic and cultural resources from the War of 1812; secured financing to implement bicentennial activities and events; and worked with other states and entities also commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

    Among other commemorations planned by the Commission, the Star-Spangled Spectacular, held in Baltimore in September 2014, was a seven-day free festival. It celebrated the 200th birthday of our national anthem. Tall ships, Navy gray hulls, and the Blue Angels came to Baltimore's Inner Harbor to celebrate the Star-Spangled Banner.

    Seven ex officio members and up to eighteen members appointed by the Governor constituted the Commission. Appointed by the Governor, the Chair appointed members of the advisory committees.

    Authorization for the Commission ended on June 30, 2015.

    ADVISORY COMMITTEES

    Advisory committees supported the Commission's work. They were concerned with communications and marketing; development and sponsor relations; education and curriculum; operations and management; programs and events; resource stewardship and visitor experience; and transportation and capital infrastructure.

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