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Maryland State House- Annapolis, MD
The Maryland State House is America’s oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. In fact, the building is so old, it predates the Declaration of Independence; when construction started in 1772, the country was still under the rule of King George III. Following the Revolutionary War, the building served as America’s first peacetime Capitol. Wonderfully historic, and beautifully built, it is one of the most fascinating capitols in the United States. The stately Georgian brick building with a small pediment topped portico and large rectangular windows was designed by architect Joseph Horatio Anderson in 1772. Situated atop a hill on a circular piece of land, now known as State Circle,…
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United States Capitol- Washington, DC
One of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the United States Capitol is a neoclassical masterpiece. Inside and out, it is befitting of the important business that takes place inside its hollowed halls. Built and renovated many times over, it is a historical landmark almost as old as the country itself. Built shortly after the capital city of Washington, D.C. was established, on land selected by Pierre L’Enfant, its construction proved to be a monumental task. In 1792, at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, an architectural competition was held for the design of the Capitol building. With the original 17 submissions deemed unsuitable, in 1793 George Washington selected Dr.…
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The Ohio Statehouse- Columbus, OH
The Ohio Statehouse certainly has an interesting history. Mired in drama and delays, it’s a shame reality television had not yet been invented, because it’s construction certainly had all the hallmarks of a hit show. However, in the end, a handsome Greek Revival emerged, considered by many to be one of the finest examples found in the United States. As a bit of background, Columbus was not Ohio’s first state capital. In 1803, when Ohio became a state, Columbus didn’t even exist. Rather, the distinction was held by the town of Chillicothe, former capital of the Northwest Territory. It remained there until 1810, when it briefly moved to Zanesville, as…
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New York State Capitol- Albany, NY
In general, state capitol buildings tend to be fabulous. As a reflection of the prosperity of the state, and representative of the important matters handled within the walls, they would certainly need to be grand. While I have yet to visit one that wasn’t impressive, New York’s literately left me breathless. Its magnificent Great Western Staircase is something every architecture aficionado needs to see. Indeed, even though the entire building is stunning, here, it’s all about the staircases. Or at least mostly. Built between 1867 and 1899, the Capitol is the product of three architectural epochs. The first was led by Thomas Fuller, an English trained architect, who emigrated to…
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Alabama State Capitol- Montgomery, AL
I have a lot of love for state capitol buildings. They typically are grand old structures, usually domed, steeped in history. Alabama’s capitol building is all of these things, and more. It is one stunning Greek Revival that has witnessed more than its share of historic moments, and emerged looking just as lovely as the day she was built.
