A Minnesota Feature presented by
The Minnesota State Capitol building was started in 1893 and completed in 1905 at a cost of $4.5 million, which at the time was a 50% budget overrun. The building was designed by St. Paul architect Cass Gilbert and has the distinction of being the second largest marble dome in the world.
1st State Capitol
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2nd State Capitol
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The first Capitol was built in 1851 and burned down. The second capitol was completed in 1883 and was immediately considered too small to handle the State's business. At this point, political battles emerged to relocate the next Capitol everywhere from Minneapolis to Kandiyohi County. A government commission was created to study the situation and it resolved to keep the new (3rd) Capitol site within 3/4 mile of its original location in St. Paul.
The current Capitol is made of stone, perhaps influenced by the fire that ended the first one. Georgia marble was chosen for its brilliant white color amid great protest as it was from out-of-state, and a southern one at that. A compromise was reached by using more than 20 different types of native Minnesota stone for the base and interior, including St. Cloud and Ortonville granites, Mankato Kasota limestone, and Native American Pipestone. Local stonecutters were also employed to finish and carve the Georgia white marble.
Ascend the 50 steps to enter the Capitol and you are first impressed with the 142 foot height of the Rotunda. This great space with the dome overhead has always been reserved for the "people's business" as a forum for public voices to be heard. Almost daily you will find a protest or press conference being conducted here.
In 1893, with Alaska not yet part of the union, Minnesota had the distinction of being the northernmost state. Affixed to the state flag was its motto, "L'Etoile du Nord," French for "The Star of the North." Keeping with this theme, a 7 foot diameter crystal chandelier was installed at the apex of the dome.
Cass Gilbert was a highly educated St. Paul architect who travelled Europe and studied Renaissance art as well as attending MIT. After winning each of several levels of design competitions with over 40 competitors for the State Capitol project, he was also hired to oversee its construction. His design was a grand Classical Revival and American Renaissance structure that he controlled down to the finest detail.
Gilbert commissioned prominent artists to fill the building with sculpture and frescos. Renaissance-style allegorical murals were first painted in frames, then remounted into the ceilings, vaults, and walls to create a cathedral atmosphere of justice and democracy.
The Capitol design also featured state-of-the-art technology, including electrification, ventilation, and architectural details such as an unsupported cantilevered stairway.
Cass Gilbert went on to become one of the major architects of the 20th century. His success with state projects such as the MN Capitol propelled him on to many national commissions, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Three great chambers radiate outward from the Rotunda to house the Legislature and Supreme Court. |
The MN House of Representatives contains 134 legislators elected for two-year terms. While it has been restored and kept to its nearly original design, it now also accommodates high-tech data connections for lawmakers to access all of the state's business and records. A third floor gallery offers public seating that looks and feels like attending the theater or opera.
| The Minnesota Senate has 67 senators elected to four-year terms. This chamber is also restored to its original splendor with large murals, dome, and skylight. |  |
The Supreme Court consists of 7 justices
who hear 20-25 minute oral arguments on appeal.
In 1999, the basement Rathskeller was restored to its original German eating-hall motif, including the ceiling paintings and mottoes. It's also a great public cafeteria to catch a light lunch before or after your free Capitol tour.
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The crowning sculpture atop the Capitol is known as the Quadriga, a work titled The Progress of the State by Daniel Chester French, who also created the seated statue of Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial in DC.) Four horses represent earth, wind, fire, and water. The women guiding the horses symbolize civilization and the man standing on the chariot represents prosperity. The Quadriga is copper covered by gold leaf, and underwent complete restoration in 1995. |
The capitol building also houses the offices of Minnesota's Governor, 2 U.S. Senators, 8 Congresspersons., and the Attorney General. Walking the halls of the Capitol is also a revue of the State's past Governors and other historic notables.
Past Governor
Jesse Ventura
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This Minnesota Feature
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