Visiting the state capitols

Visiting State Capitols

How many of you have thought about visiting our state capitols? I have made this one of my goals while traveling through our beautiful country. So far I have visited 26 of those capitols. Each state capitol has a very interesting history and in many ways they are similar but also very different. Most of them have a senate, house of representatives and a supreme court. Some or all of the capitols of the original thirteen colonies are referred to as the state house, which took a little getting used for me since I come from the upper mid-west. All of the capitols are open to the public and are free. Most of them have docents that will give you a guided tour. Some even have free parking for visitors and all are open during the work week but most, if not, all are closed on the weekend.

All but eleven have domes, however, there are three of those where the original building had a dome but now is used as a museum. Those three are Phoenix, AZ, Carson City, NV, and Tallahassee, FL. The eight that don?t have domes are Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon. There are several where the original building had a dome but burned down; one of those is Bismark, ND.

Here are some other interesting facts that I have learned about them.

●? ? ? ?Wisconsin, my home state, is the only one of the fifty states that has its capitol built on an isthmus.

●? ? ? ?Pennsylvania considers its capitol one of the most beautiful in the country.

●? ? ? ?Did you know that Annapolis, MD, served as our country?s capitol for one year while Washington, D.C., was completed?

●? ? ? ?Annapolis is where George Washington resigned his commission as commander of the Revolutionary Army.

●? ? ? ?The North Dakota capitol burned down in 1930 and was rebuilt during the depression for $2 million dollars.

●? ? ? ?Montana has a very large painting by Charles Russell in the House of Representatives that is probably worth more than the building.

●? ? ? ?Some of the capitols are built from materials in that state, but most of them have materials and art from all over the world..

●? ? ? ?Most states have both senators and representatives. Some states elect these officials for two years and some states for four years.

For my pictures of some of the capitols go to http://www.alaskabyrv.us/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=18.

For more information on the 50 state capitols go to http://www.50states.com/ on the internet.

Lorna,

Visiting State Capitol Buildings is a great idea.  Along the same line, we have greatly enjoyed visiting presidential libraries.  Don't miss one if you have a chance.  So far we have been Lyndon Johnson's, Richard Nixon's, Ronald Regan's, Dwight Eisenhower's, Harry Trumans's and Abe Lincoln.  Lincoln's, in Springfield, IL,  is quite different from all the rest and a must see.  I won't tell you about the exciting library tour there but the surprise ending alone is worth the trip.

Jake

Jake

I have been to several presidential libraries also.  You are right they are very interesting.  Of the ones you have seen Reagan & Lincoln are the only ones I haven't but they are on my to do list.  The one that I missed and would have liked to have seen was the Kennedy Library but the trolley in Boston didn't go there and I was only in Boston for one day.

Lorna said:

Jake

I have been to several presidential libraries also.  You are right they are very interesting.  Of the ones you have seen Reagan & Lincoln are the only ones I haven't but they are on my to do list.  The one that I missed and would have liked to have seen was the Kennedy Library but the trolley in Boston didn't go there and I was only in Boston for one day.

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Now there's a reason to come back to CT for a visit. ;D

Jim

You know I would like to but don't think I could get the other half to agree   He might agree to come to your place but I would have to go to Boston by myself.  I am having a hard time just getting him to go east of the Mississippi which is where the majority of the capitols are that I haven't been to yet, that is other than Wisconsin

Lorna,

Well you convince him to come on back and he and I can find something to do while you are visiting Boston.

You better start cutting some trees, Jim

One of the sad things about the state of affairs in the world, and especially in our country is that because of the terrorism threat many state Capitol buildings are being closed to the public. Here in Indianapolis you have to have an appointment or a specific person you are wanting to see, and then most times you are escorted.

Woody

Woody

Some of the capitols that I have been to have very strick security, one is New York, but you can still get a tour and I prefer the ones with a docent.? Then some of them you can just walk into, but there may be only one entrance open and that is okay too.? I will have to remember that Indiana you have to have an appointment when we get there.? I have not found any of the capitols closed to the public as of yet and have visited most or all of the 26 so far after 9/11.  There are some areas that are closed to the public, mainly the stairs to the base of the domes and a few other areas unless you know someone working for the state and that is okay too.