{"id":6766,"date":"2017-07-31T09:38:47","date_gmt":"2017-07-31T13:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=6766"},"modified":"2017-10-17T09:29:52","modified_gmt":"2017-10-17T13:29:52","slug":"capitol-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=6766","title":{"rendered":"Capitol Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"California

The California Capitol; photo: Jeff Turner, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n

Two years ago a visit to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield revealed such a feast of 19th c. stenciled decor, state capitols have been added to my must-see list. Let me guess: you haven\u2019t seen the capitol in your state since junior high. (Visiting school groups is a good reason to plan your visit for the summer or off-hours.)<\/p>\n

Capitol buildings generally offer tours, or you may be able to roam freely, helpful brochure in hand. The legislature may or may not be in session. Either way, those chambers and the building as a whole are likely rich with history, symbols of the state, statues, portraits, and murals, as well as sheer decoration and impressive domes. Tour guides are especially interested in telling you how much things weigh.<\/p>\n

The California Capitol<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The capitol building in Sacramento<\/a> (completed 1874) was a little hard to get into in June, with construction on the grounds and some entrances closed for security reasons. The south entrance, facing N Street, is open. The building is set in a forty-acre park that contains a lovely rose garden and memorials. The Vietnam War memorial was especially moving, as were the tributes to fallen firefighters and peace officers. Inside is a small museum, with permanent historical exhibits and a feature gallery.<\/p>\n

The House and Senate chambers were beautiful\u2014perhaps the hope is that surrounding legislators with elegance will lead to lofty thoughts\u2014the House mainly green (for California) and the Senate mainly red (patterned on London\u2019s Houses of Parliament), or so the guide said. It was fun reviewing the portraits of California governors that line the hallways to see whether I could recognize any of them. I did identify Arnold Schwarzenegger.<\/p>\n

In the basement, where the tour starts, are murals painted in a particular dark style called \u201cCalifornia decorative\u201d that is repeated in some works at the nearby Crocker Art Museum.<\/p>\n

The Pennsylvania Capitol<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Harrisburg is such a down-at-heels city, this seems like a dubious destination, but the capitol<\/a> is beautiful. When President Teddy Roosevelt dedicated it in 1906, he called it \u201cthe handsomest building I ever saw.\u201d White marble and gold leaf are everywhere in the lobby (lobbyists, too), and the floor comprises Pennsylvania-made Moravian tiles interspersed with mosaics symbolizing animals, industries, occupations, and historical features of the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

\"Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Capitol Dome; photo: Harvey Barrison, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n

Looking up, you can see the 272-foot, 52 million pound dome, reportedly inspired by the one in Rome\u2019s St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, while the lobby\u2019s grand staircase and three-tiered gallery were designed with the Paris Opera House in mind.<\/p>\n

William Penn was a Quaker and a highly religious man, and biblical quotations abound in the capitol\u2019s d\u00e9cor and in the rich symbolism of the many works of art (another attempt at fostering high-mindedness, perhaps). Many of the murals, including those in the Supreme Court, were painted by Philadelphia artist Violet Oakley. Oakley was the first woman artist to receive such a commissions, which began when she was only 28 years old. Over a period of 25 years, she painted 43 murals for the capitol.<\/p>\n

Books to throw in your suitcase<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

For Sacramento:<\/p>\n