Georgia State Capitol

 

The Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia is an architecturally and historically significant building. It was completed in 1889. It is the main office building of Georgia's government. The offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state are on the second floor, while the General Assembly meets on the third floor from January to April. There are also visitors' galleries and a museum on the fourth floor. Like many U.S. state capitols, the Georgia State Capitol is designed to resemble the Classical architectural style of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C..

The façade features a four-story portico, with stone pediment, supported by six Corinthian columns set on large stone piers. Georgia's coat of arms, with two figures on each side, is engraved on the pediment. The Capitol's interior represents the 19th century style of its time. It was among the earliest buildings to have elevators, centralized steam heat, and combination gas and electric lights. Classical pilasters and oak paneling are used throughout the building. The floors of the interior are made of marble.

The Capitol building has undergone frequent renovations to adapt to the growth and change of government. Originally constructed from terra cotta and covered with tin, in a 1958 renovation the present dome was gilded with native gold leaf. For this reason, legislative business is often referred to as what is happening "under the gold dome" by media across the state. The statue “Miss Freedom” has adorned the dome since the building's opening.

“Miss Freedom”, sometimes referred to as Goddess of Liberty, was commissioned in 1884. The hollow copper statue is painted white, weighs over 1600 lbs and is over 26 feet tall. She was sculpted with a torch in her right hand and a sword in her left. The torch is a functioning Mercury vapor lamp, casting a blue-green light at night.

This postcard came from Denise L. (13 Aug 2014) Direct Swap Postcrossing. Interestingly the State Flag (1956-2001) shown on the postcard is an old one. There has since been two more changes of the State Flag.