Saturday, 11 April 2015

Wisconsin State Capitol

The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. Construction of the building started in late 1906 and was completed in 1917. The Winsconsin State Capitol building is the fifth structure to serve as the Wisconsin capitol since the first territorial legislature convened during 1836. The streets surrounding the building form the Capitol Square which is home to many restaurants and shops. The Wisconsin State Capitol is the tallest building in Madison, a distinction that has been preserved by city legislation against buildings taller than the columns surrounding the dome (187 feet). The Capitol is 284 feet, 5 inches tall from the ground floor to the top of the "Wisconsin" statue headdress on the dome.

What is the “Wisconsin” statue?

The "Wisconsin" statue on the dome was sculpted during 1920. Its left hand holds a globe surmounted by an eagle and her right arm is outstretched to symbolize the state motto, "Forward." It wears a helmet with the state animal, the badger, on top. It is made of hollow bronze covered with gold leaf. "Wisconsin" is 15 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs three tons. The statue is commonly misidentified as "Lady Forward" or "Miss Forward", which is the name of another statue on the capitol grounds.

This postcard shows not only the State Capitol but the ceiling of the rotunda.  Blashfield’s mural, Resources of  Wisconsin decorates the ceiling.

This postcard came from Tammie W. (8 April 2015) Direct Swap - Swap-bot.

No comments:

Post a Comment