The Annapolis Continental Congress Society is a national organization based in Annapolis dedicated to the study of the entire "pre-Constitution" or "first government" period of 1774-89, with an emphasis on the important role that Annapolis played in the formation of the United States as the bridge between the end of the Revolutionary War and the Constitutional Convention.
The Annapolis Continental Congress Society has three primary goals:
- To sponsor themed events throughout the year correlating to significant dates within the 1774-89 period, especially those that took place in Annapolis, and to encourage the creation of chapters in the other seven cities where the unicameral Congress met to do the same kinds of activities that we are doing, with the Annapolis branch serving as the national chapter.
- To coordinate a National Continental Congress Festival (if not annually, as often as possible) to commemorate the 1774-89 period, centered around the Annapolis Era (1783-86), when Annapolis served as the capital of the United States and as host of the 1786 Annapolis Convention that led to the Constitutional Convention. Our festivals feature an impressive exhibit of rare documents and letters; informal discussions and formal lectures; author signings and book sales; short films and activities for children and students.
- To generate national, state and local interest in the 1774-89 period toward support for a National Continental Congress Center in Annapolis, a permanent facility to showcase the 10 buildings in 8 cities where the unicameral Congress met, the 14 men who served as its president (before George Washington) and the important documents they governed by (including the Articles of Confederation and the Treaty of Paris), so that the nation's first form of government can be studied, discussed, written on and lectured about, with year-round events, music, live theatrical performances and annual festivities.
Click on the image below for more information on the 8 cities (including Annapolis):
Click on the image below for more information on the 14 Presidents of Congress (note:the ACCS does not claim that any of the 14 pre-Washington Presidents of Congress were the first "President of the United States," a title we believe belongs solely to George Washington):
