History</FONT
Since its construction in 1906, the Capitol has remained a "palace of art" as envisioned by its creator, architect Joseph M. Huston. Over the years, however, the Capitol has seen many changes and improvements, along with the normal wear and tear from its thousands of annual visitors. In 1982, the state Legislature created a committee to oversee restoration and preserve the historic integrity of the building along with its historic contents. Since then, the Capitol Preservation Committee has restored and preserved many areas and artifacts within the building, and continues ongoing efforts so that future generations can enjoy the splendor of the Capitol.
Pennsylvania State Capitol building in 1906On October 4, 1906 Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker dedicated the new State Capitol Building and President Theodore Roosevelt was the orator of the day. Following a tour of the new building, Roosevelt complimented the Governor on this monumental project. A crowd of more than 50,000 people came on special Pennsylvania Railroad excursion trains to Harrisburg to hear President Roosevelt dedicate the building. His actual words differ according to different newspaper accounts: The Harrisburg Star Independent (October 5, 1906) claimed Roosevelt declared it to be the "most handsome state Capitol I have ever seen and I don't believe that there is a finer on earth," while the Harrisburg Patriot News (same date) reported that he simply claimed it to be "the handsomest building I ever saw." The Capitol was built and furnished at a cost of $13 million. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
Description
The state Capitol was architecturally inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and many consider it the pinnacle of the Commonwealth as the finest state capitol building in the United States. The brilliantly restored rotunda and Senate and House of Representatives Chambers are particularly exquisite spaces adorned with marble, murals, gold leaf and stained glass.
In Huston's original concept of the Capitol, he strove to unite architecture, sculpture and painting into an interpretation of Pennsylvania's rich industrial, economic and social heritage. While the overall structure is unified in design, different Renaissance styles are featured in the Capitol's public rooms. The House chamber is Italian in design, the Senate chamber is inspired by French styles, and the décor in the Governor's reception room is based upon English design. The Capitol's five-story exterior is faced with handsome Vermont granite and the elegant dome is composed of green glazed terra cotta tile.
The building is adorned with sculpture, most notably the two groups, Love and Labor, the Unbroken Law and The Burden of Life, the Broken Law by sculptor George Grey Barnard, murals by Violet Oakley and Edwin Austin Abbey and a magnificent tile floor by Henry Mercer which tells the story of the state of Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg serves as an icon of the State, representing history, government, and the richness of its "common wealth."
Location
The Pennsylvania State Capitol is located on the grounds of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex in downtown Harrisburg. The block it sits on is bordered by West Third Street on the west-southwest, North Street on the north-northwest, Commonwealth Avenue on the east-northeast, and Walnut Street to the south-southeast. The building can be seen from I-83, though the high-rise office buildings of downtown have blocked much of the view east of the Susquehanna River.
Structure facts
Architectural Style: Beaux Arts / American Renaissance
Structure Type: highrise, dome (5 story front facade)
Construction Dates: Started 1901, Finished 1906
Height: 272 feet (82.9 m)
Floor Area: 715,150.91 ft² (217,978 m²)
Address: North & Commonwealth Streets, Harrisburg, PA
(All the text for this waymark was copied from wikipedia.com)