Last updated: July 3, 2025
Place
William Paca House and Garden
Historic Annapolis
Quick Facts
Location:
186 Prince George St, Annapolis, MD 21401
Significance:
The William Paca House is a National Historic Landmark, and a contributing resource to the Colonial Annapolis Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District.
Designation:
National Historic Landmark; NPS Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
4 listed
Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Restroom - Accessible, Water - Drinking/Potable
The William Paca House and Garden, a historic treasure in Annapolis, offers an immersive experience connecting visitors to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the broader history of the American Revolution. As a partner of the NPS Chesapeake Gateways Visitor Experience Network, the site invites exploration of its beautifully restored Georgian-style mansion, built in the 1760s for William Paca, a Maryland signer of the Declaration of Independence and state governor. Visitors can step into the past through guided tours showcasing period furnishings, paintings, and the intricate lives of both the Paca family and the enslaved workers who contributed to the household’s daily operations.
The Paca Garden, a serene 2-acre retreat, is a highlight, offering a peaceful escape with native and heirloom plants, terraced landscapes, and a spring-fed pond. Restored to its 18th-century splendor, it serves as a living example of Chesapeake horticultural heritage, featuring medicinal and kitchen gardens alongside formal parterres. The permanent exhibit “We Hold These Truths” expands on the political and personal lives of Maryland’s signers of the Declaration, deepening the visitor’s understanding of the nation's founding.
This historic site is a key stop for those exploring Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay watershed and offers rich educational programming. For more information and to plan your visit, explore the
William Paca House website.
Walking Tour Stop
Learn more about the William Paca House by watching this video: https://streamable.com/g4ysdg
Subtítulos en español: https://streamable.com/bikboo
The five-part Georgian mansion at 186 Prince George Street was built in the 1760s for William Paca, one of Maryland’s four Signers of the Declaration of Independence and the state’s third Governor. In the early 1900s, it became the entrance to Carvel Hall Hotel, a popular gathering place for the Maryland legislature and visitors to the nearby Naval Academy. In 1965, Historic Annapolis and the State of Maryland partnered to save the house from demolition and restored the house and rear garden to its colonial appearance. Today, the Paca House and Garden is recognized as one of the finest 18th-century homes in the country and a National Historic Landmark.
The Paca Garden, a serene 2-acre retreat, is a highlight, offering a peaceful escape with native and heirloom plants, terraced landscapes, and a spring-fed pond. Restored to its 18th-century splendor, it serves as a living example of Chesapeake horticultural heritage, featuring medicinal and kitchen gardens alongside formal parterres. The permanent exhibit “We Hold These Truths” expands on the political and personal lives of Maryland’s signers of the Declaration, deepening the visitor’s understanding of the nation's founding.
This historic site is a key stop for those exploring Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay watershed and offers rich educational programming. For more information and to plan your visit, explore the
William Paca House website.
Walking Tour Stop
Learn more about the William Paca House by watching this video: https://streamable.com/g4ysdg
Subtítulos en español: https://streamable.com/bikboo
The five-part Georgian mansion at 186 Prince George Street was built in the 1760s for William Paca, one of Maryland’s four Signers of the Declaration of Independence and the state’s third Governor. In the early 1900s, it became the entrance to Carvel Hall Hotel, a popular gathering place for the Maryland legislature and visitors to the nearby Naval Academy. In 1965, Historic Annapolis and the State of Maryland partnered to save the house from demolition and restored the house and rear garden to its colonial appearance. Today, the Paca House and Garden is recognized as one of the finest 18th-century homes in the country and a National Historic Landmark.