Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Joseph Nicholson Home Site and Bandstand
The Naval War of 1812 in Annapolis
— Don't Give Up The Ship —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
1. Joseph Nicholson Home Site and Bandstand Marker
Inscription.
Joseph Nicholson Home Site and Bandstand. The Naval War of 18 12 in Annapolis. In 1814 when Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the poem "The Defense of Fort McHenry," his wife's sister and brother-in-law lived in a house on this site. The poem quickly became famous when it was set to music and re-titled "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Nicholsons preserved an original copy of the poem in their house. After the house was removed to expand the Naval Academy, it was decided to place a bandstand nearby so that the Naval Academy Band could play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the site. This perpetuated the history of the site and its association with the music that officially became the United States national anthem by act of Congress in 1931. , This is the third bandstand on the site and dates from 1922.
In 1814 when Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the poem "The Defense of Fort McHenry," his wife's
sister and brother-in-law lived in a house on this site. The poem quickly became famous when it was
set to music and re-titled "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Nicholsons preserved an original copy of
the poem in their house. After the house was removed to expand the Naval Academy, it was decided to place a bandstand nearby so that the Naval Academy Band could play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the site. This perpetuated the history of the site and its association with the music that officially became the United States national anthem by act of Congress in 1931.
This is the third bandstand on the site and dates from 1922.
Erected by United States Naval Academy. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 38° 58.923′ N, 76° 29.112′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker can be reached from Blake Road. Marker is located on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy, across Blake Road from the Academy Chapel just south of the Zimmerman Bandstand. A picture
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ID is required to enter the Academy grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Naval War of 1812 in Annapolis Walking Tour.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
2. Joseph Nicholson Home Site and Bandstand Marker & the 1922 Zimmerman Bandstand
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
3. "The Star-Spangled Banner"
(Percy Moran, 1862-1935) Library of Congress, 1913
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
4. Joseph Nicholson by Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint-Menin, 1810
Nicholson urged Key to have the song (The Star Spangled Banner) published. A Baltimore judge, Nicholson served as United States volunteer at Fort McHenry during the battle. Of the action he wrote, "We felt like pigeons tied by the legs and shot at."
Photo of a display at the Fort McHenry Vistors Center
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012
5. Key's Manuscript of the Star Spangled Banner
in the Fort McHenry Visitors Center
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 633 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on July 10, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.