Charlie Baker will officially succeed Deval Patrick this afternoon as governor of Massachusetts once he is sworn in during a ceremony at the State House.

The 58-year-old Republican who in November beat out Martha Coakley to become the state’s top elected official will take the oath of office to become the commonwealth’s 72nd governor.

Stanley C. Rosenberg, a Democrat who is the President of the State Senate, will officiate the swearing-in ceremony in what could be interpreted as Baker’s concerted bipartisan effort to unite both sides of the aisle on Beacon Hill during his term.

The state’s new governor is expected to meet with members of the state legislature at Suffolk Law School before arriving at the State House, where he will be greeted with a 19-gun salute.


Baker’s inauguration comes one day after Patrick strode out of the State House as part of the traditional “lone walk’’ that all outgoing governors have taken on their last day in office.

Thursday’s formal ceremony will on Friday be followed by a not-so-formal inauguration concert featuring a musical performance by Dropkick Murphys, Baker’s favorite band.