Boston Freedom Trail

2. Massachusetts State House

Boston, MA

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For free tours, visit http://www.malegislature.gov/Engage/StateHouseTours Arguably one of the most iconic spots in the city, this elegant statehouse can be seen far and wide for its gleaming golden dome. The Massachusetts State House still serves as the state capitol and house of government for the state of Massachusetts, or Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Governor’s offices and General Court are located inside. The State House borders the Boston Common, ascending up Bunker Hill, where it has been perched proudly since 1798. Architect Charles Bulfinch’s inspiration for the house came from two buildings in London, the Somerset House and Pantheon. There have been extensive upgrades over time, but the essence and design has stayed virtually the same for decades. In 1895, the house was enlarged based on the designs of Bostonian architect Charles Brigham. In 1917, the east and west wings were added. Now, let’s go back to that sparkling dome. The original wood dome leaked, and was covered with copper in 1802 by Paul Revere’s company. Paul Revere was the first American to successfully roll copper into sheets for commercial use. The dome was later painted gray, and then light yellow, before being laced with gold leaf in 1874. During World War II, the dome was painted black to protect from possible bombings. In 1997, the dome was gilded in 23 karat gold at a cost of more than $300K. A pine cone tops the dome, which symbolizes Boston’s vibrant lumber industry during colonial times and the state of Maine, which was part of the state of Massachusetts. A number of statues of historic figures surround the state house. They include US president John F. Kennedy, state senator Daniel Webster, educator Horace Mann, Quaker martyr Mary Dyer, and an equestrian statue of General Joseph Hooker. Statues of Anne Hutchinson and Mary Dyer, two of Boston’s religious martyrs, are located on the lawns below the east and west wings. The building’s grounds lie on more than six acres, once originally owned by merchant and prominent statesman John Hancock. After viewing the exterior, stroll inside and take advantage of the free tours offered by the statehouse. Inside the House of Representatives Chamber, look for the “Sacred Cod”, given to the house by a Boston merchant in 1784 that symbolizes the importance of the fishing industry to Massachusetts. The second floor hosts several murals, located under the dome, painted by Edward Brodney, who won a competition sponsored by Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration to paint the murals in 1936. The first mural is named "Columbia Knighting Her World War Disabled.” Brodney used friends and family to model for him, since he could not afford to hire any models. Colombia was his sister, and his brother modeled the soldier on one knee in the foreground. The second mural, World War Mothers, was painted in 1938. These murals are rare depictions of military art with women as their subjects. Two large doors are located inside the building’s Doric Hall, which are only opened on three occasions: When visited by the President of foreign head of state, when the Governor exits office on their last day in office, and when a regimental flag returns from battle. Now, go inside and take the tour to learn more, including the 1933 prank by Harvard students! In December 2014, workers repairing a water leak spotted the time capsule buried by Samuel Adams and Paul Revere in the building’s cornerstone in 1795. The cigar box shaped capsule was unearthed from the State House by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, making it the oldest time capsule in the US. The capsule was first removed in 1855 during emergency repairs to the building, and its contents were removed from the original cowhide cover and placed in a copper container. The time capsule is expected to contain a collection of silver and copper coins dating from between 1652 and 1855; a silver plate possibly fashioned by Paul Revere; newspapers; the seal of the Commonwealth and a title page from the Massachusetts Colony Records, among others. The time capsule’s contents were examined, and then reinserted into the cornerstone.