Connecticut State Capitol - Hartford, CT
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 41° 45.867 W 072° 40.931
18T E 692668 N 4626220
Overlooking Hartford's 41 acre Bushnell Memorial Park, the Connecticut State Capitol first opened for the General Assembly in January, 1879.
Waymark Code: WM2Y3P
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 01/08/2008
Views: 70
The following excerpt is from "Connecticut: A Guide to its Roads, Lore and People":
The STATE CAPITOL overlooks the city from the landscaped crest of Capitol Hill, with other State buildings standing at a respectful distance to the south, and Bushnell Park sloping down to the business district on the north. The marble and granite structure, designed by Richard Upjohn in 1878, was erected at a cost of $2,532,524.43. The architecture might be considered Gothic from the profusion of crockets, finials, and niches that rise above its somewhat pointed arches to the elongated dome; but it is exuberant and eclectic in spirit, and does not confine itself to the historical precedents of any one style. The mass of the building is dignified and impressive. Two lofty, five-story wings, rising at the east and west facades of the central main building, culminate in the twelve-sided gilded dome, topped with a winged figure of the 'Genius of Connecticut' by Randolph Rogers. The well-composed exterior is of modified Venetian and French Gothic style with corner towers.
The Capitol site was contributed by the city of Hartford, and the commission retained James G. Batterson to build the Capitol from plans designed by noted architect Richard M. Upjohn. The building is the only Victorian Gothic State House in the United States.
The Connecticut State Capitol was declared a national historical landmark by the United States Department of Interior in 1970. Also of importance is the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, a memorial to the men of Connecticut who served in the Civil War as Union soldiers. The Arch is located in Bushnell Park, adjacent to the Capitol building.
Tours of the Capitol are available every 30 minutes from 9:30am to 3pm except at noon.