Check out where the legislating happens in the state of Maine.
One of my weird travel hobbies is checking out other states’ state capital buildings (Check out Illinois’ three). I made the trek down to Augusta from Mt. Desert Island to check out Maine’s State House.
The very stately, but rather small State House of Maine.
Maine didn’t become its own state until 1820, belonging to Massachusetts before that. Augusta was named the state’s official capital in 1832, before that it was Portland. The citizens of Maine decided it was better to build the permanent capital in a more central location in the state, even though Portland had the largest population.
The Maine State house was designed by Charles Bulfinch, the same man that designed the Massachusetts’ State House and the U.S. Capitol building. He designed a simple Greek-Revival inspired building, similar to that of Massachusetts. The entire state government moved into the building in 1832. Over time the building was expanded for more room for employees. The state house got its current look after a 1910 renovation, which added long wings to the side. Originally the building was only the front portico and behind, basically almost a square.
The roof is made of copper which was recently redone in 2014. Over the years it will slowly turn back to the same shade of green as the Statue of Liberty.
The inside of the dome. It was a lot plainer than I thought it would be. Lost opportunities.
The view from the porch. There were rocking chairs out there for people to relax on which was pretty neat.
The very yellow Senate Chamber.
The very gray House of Representatives.
It was a nice visit that did not take long. The building turned out much plainer than I thought it would be like and much smaller. I guess I was spoiled by the beauty of Vermont’s, or the overblown Illinois’ or even the gaudy Michigan’s. Six capitals down, 44 more to go.
Check out my next update where I visit Portland, Maine!
