State of Maryland to Unveil Historic Monument Honoring Black Revolutionary War Patriots in Annapolis

A new monument honoring Black patriots who served during the Revolutionary War will be unveiled on the grounds of the Maryland State House in Annapolis on Sunday, November 1, marking the first major addition to the State House grounds in more than a century.

According to an October 26 announcement from the Maryland Department of General Services, the monument, titled "The Pursuit of Transcendent Liberty," was created by American sculptor Branly Cadet and commissioned by the State House Trust in 2023 in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The monument is intended to recognize and preserve the legacy of Maryland's Black patriots whose service during the Revolutionary War helped shape the nation's history.

Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller will lead the unveiling ceremony alongside representatives from the Maryland Department of General Services, Maryland State Arts Council and Maryland State Archives.

Mr. Cadet was selected to create the monument by a Monument Advisory Committee following a nationwide call for artists that attracted more than 50 proposals.

The Maryland Department of General Services managed the project in collaboration with the Maryland State Arts Council's Maryland Public Art Commission and the Maryland State Archives' Commission on Artistic Property.

The ceremony will feature remarks from Governor Moore, Lt. Governor Miller, Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson and Mr. Cadet.

The unveiling is scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, on the South Lawn of the Maryland State House, located at 100 State Circle in Annapolis.

The installation represents a significant addition to the State House grounds, establishing a permanent tribute to the contributions and military service of Black Marylanders during the nation's fight for independence.