The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Sadly in our haste to start our day on our way to Appomattox Courthouse and Monticello we bolted out of Richmond without stopping to explore the beautiful and historic state capitol building (yes, I am still kicking myself over that one). PBS's WTTW ranks Virginia's capitol building as it's #1 building that changed America. Since I can't give you a personal account (kicking myself again), I will turn this post over … [Read more...]
My kids and I love exploring state capitol buildings for the architecture-my kids always run first and foremost to the rotunda to check out the design of the dome-but also for the amazing historical artifacts related to the state's history. Some are truly beautiful and others are just "plain janes" with no personality. While the Maryland statehouse was not particularly visually captivating, it was probably the most … [Read more...]
Did you know Delaware was the first state in the union? I didn't until we arrived at the First State Heritage Park in Dover. Sadly on our late arrival on a Friday afternoon on 4th of July weekend, all was closed so I cannot give you a first hand account of what is inside of the various buildings. I was so upset because the visitor center looked super cool and there were lots of other historic buildings I really … [Read more...]
I love these cut away shots-isn't this gorgeous? The Pennsylvania state capitol rotunda is a magnificent example a combination of various artistic techniques and mediums working together for a massive impact. The first thing we noticed after a long and circuitous route to get to the rotunda was the dominant color theme of red, white, and blue. Stunning but not surprising given the role of Pennsylvania in the … [Read more...]
A road trip would not be complete without a visit to the Hawaii State Capitol Building so we headed over not knowing what to expect. It definitely did not even remotely resemble any statehouse we'd seen on the mainland, and it didn't connect in any way to the last royal Hawaiian residence at the Iolani Palace. Sadly, this state capitol was our absolute least favorite of them all. My heart broke a little as we stared … [Read more...]
The grounds of The Kentucky State Capitol Building are just lovely, and when we were there they were covered with acorns. As we walked up, we could tell there was something going on, and as we got closer we discovered it was a celebration of the anniversary of women getting the right to vote. There were lots of ladies dressed in white with purple sashes surrounding a podium festooned with balloons next to banners of … [Read more...]
As we made our way into the heart of Indianapolis, we had just enough time to check out the Indiana State Capitol Building. It's an elegant and beautiful building but I wouldn't call it a showstopper. You can park, run in, take a few pictures, leave. It's an easy 15 minutes stop giving you another state capitol building to check off your list. The rotunda features a pretty stained glass octagon design and … [Read more...]
The Minnesota State Capitol Building is a stately structure with the requisite dome columns and other ornamentation like so many others. What is unique is the gold leafed 'quadriga" (a four horse chariot) up on the roof. Supposedly the four horses represent the power of nature: earth, wind, fire and water. The women leading the horses symbolize civilization, and the man on the chariot represents prosperity. We … [Read more...]
The Michigan State Capitol Building was by far one of everyone’s favorites. Walking into the stately domed building we were immediately struck by the wonderful use of color from the faux marble finishes to the checkerboard floors to the displays of the flags in the glass cases. As we were walking around and commenting, one of the artisans who oversaw much of the renovations overheard our conversation and … [Read more...]
As state capitol buildings go, the Ohio State Capitol Building is nice, but not spectacular-at least compared to some of the others we've seen. The rotunda is pretty in muted shades of rose and aqua but it just feels like it's missing a little pizzazz-you know what I mean, sugar and spice and everything nice. There is some artwork but nothing to knock your socks off. So after you check out the main floor go … [Read more...]
