August 21, 2025. Harrisburg Pennsylvania.

The Grand Entrance

As you approach the Capitol, the first thing you’ll notice is the stunning dome. *Fun fact: The dome was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and rises 272 feet above the ground! In fact, it’s so impressive that President Theodore Roosevelt called it “the handsomest building” he’d ever seen when he dedicated it in 1906. The five-story exterior consists of Vermont granite and the roof is covered in green-glazed terra-cotta tile.

The sculptures that frame the main doors of the Capitol represent humanity advancing through work and brotherhood (left) and lives of degradation and spiritual burdens (right). They restored the statues to their original state during the Capitol preservation project after severe deterioration over the years. Created by Pennsylvania artist George Grey Barnard (1863-1938).

Moravian Tiles

Don’t forget to look down at your feet from time to time as you stroll through history from one end of the first floor to the other. Colorful Moravian tiles cover the entire first floor, as well as its adjoining corridors. This floor has over 400,000 pieces of Moravian tile, with close to 400 tile mosaics illustrating the state’s history, animals, industries, and modes of transportation. They are thought to be some of the finest examples of Pennsylvania German folk art.

The Grand Staircase

Architect Huston borrowed the Capitol Rotunda’s features from the Paris Opera House, including the Grand Staircase and three-tiered gallery. The Capitol Rotunda serves as a popular public forum, providing a magnificent and symbolic setting for many types of gathers, from rallies and bill-signings to news conferences. About 25 weddings per year are also performed here, with use of the building being absolutely free! (The bride and groom must provide chairs, tables and other essentials for the ceremony.) A former Miss Pennsylvania was married here!

The Senate Chamber

After you walk up the grand staircase, you will be on the second floor where the Senate Chamber is located on the north side of the Capitol. Pennsylvania has 50 state Senators who serve a four-year term (no limits), representing approximately 246,000 people each. Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor services as the President, where they vote on legislation and resolution. Each Senator is assigned a desk, and they vote on amendments and bills the old-fashioned way with a verbal “aye” or “nay,” rather than using electronic tally boards as seen in the House of Representatives and other Senate Chambers.

The Senate chamber is equally lavish, with its bronze chandeliers and plush red carpets. Pay special attention to the murals here; they depict Pennsylvania’s history, including William Penn’s treaty with the Native Americans. Adding to the grandeur, the desks in the chamber are made from mahogany imported from Belize, dating back to the 1906 opening of the Capitol. The green marble that lines the Chamber’s walls is rare Connemara, imported from Ireland. And the four massive, gold-finished iron and glass floor lamps weigh two tons each.

The restoration project in 1994 was able to maintain the original design by Architect Joseph Huston and painter Violet Oakley.

The House of Representatives Chamber

Walking into the House chamber, you’ll spot the dazzling stained-glass windows previously noted, and murals created by artist Edwin Austin Abbey. Here’s a fun fact: Abbey never actually saw the completed murals in person—he passed away before they were installed! His painting The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania on the wall directly behind the Speaker of the House is the largest mural in the Capitol, standing 35 feet square. It includes prominent legislators, explorers, pioneers and others standing at the feet of a figure representing the “Genius of State.” All 29 figures are listed in the full-color Pennsylvania Capitol tour guide (which you can obtain for free at the visitor’s desk), with a statement about their role.

The ceiling is a circular mural entitled The Hours, representing passage of time in the form of 24 maidens revolving in an endless circle around the moon, sun, and stars.

The Supreme Court Chamber

Did you know the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the oldest appellate court in the United States? The chamber is designed to resemble a courtroom from the French Renaissance, complete with their own stain-glass dome (designed and executed by Pennsylvania native Alfred Godwin) and ornate mahogany woodwork, wainscoting and furnishings. The Chamber houses 16 intricate paintings by Violet Oakley, a grouping she called The Opening of the Book of Law. The painting, Divine Law – The Keynote hangs above the center door. Oakley used an intricate combination of images and letters spelling out the words Love, Law and Wisdom.

A Few More Unique Details and Fun Facts

• Secret Tunnels: Beneath the Capitol complex, there is a network of underground tunnels connecting various government buildings, originally built for moving records and protecting officials during emergencies. These tunnels allow politicians and staff to move between buildings without braving Pennsylvania’s unpredictable weather.
• Hidden Mouse: A whimsical secret hides in the ornate tile floor of the main rotunda—a tiny tile mouse! Placed there by the craftsmen as a playful signature, it’s a favorite scavenger hunt for visitors and school children.
• Enormous Art Collection: The State Capitol features more than 400 murals, sculptures, and stained glass windows. Its interior is a museum-quality display of Pennsylvania history and artistry, making it one of the most decorated legislative buildings in the United States. The Capitol houses one of the largest collections of Pennsylvania Impressionist art in the country.
• Guided Tours: One of the few state capitols that holds tours during the week as well as weekends and most holidays. For more information, visit their website here.
• Talented Artists:
  • 1) The stained-glass works were created by William B. Van Ingen, a former student of the famous glass artist Louis C. Tiffany.
  • 2) In 1908–09, Edwin Austin Abbey began an ambitious program of murals and other artworks for the newly completed Pennsylvania State Capitol. These included allegorical medallion murals for the dome of the Rotunda, four large lunette murals beneath the dome, and multiple works for the House and Senate Chambers. For the Senate chamber he finished only one painting, Von Steuben Training the American Soldiers at Valley Forge, after which he was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently died in 1911.
  • 3) Violet Oakley (the first American woman to receive a public mural commission) was originally commissioned in 1902 only for the murals in the Governor’s Grand Reception Room, which she titled The Founding of the State of Liberty Spiritual. In the reception room murals, Oakley depicts the story of William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania. She conducted extensive research on the subject, even traveling to England! After Edwin Abbey’ death, Oakley was offered the job of creating the remaining murals for the Senate and Supreme Court Chambers. She agreed as long as she could paint in her own style. It was a 16-year project. She painted a series of 43 total murals for the Governors Grand Reception Room, the Senate and the Supreme Court.

Wrap-Up

The Pennsylvania State Capitol isn’t just a building—it’s a living museum, a testament to craftsmanship, history, and the Pennsylvania jewel. Whether you’re marveling at the marble, tracing the murals, or standing beneath the magnificent dome, there’s always a new story to discover.

Thanks for joining me on this tour! I hope you enjoyed these fun facts and feel inspired to visit in person for an even deeper dive into the heart of Pennsylvania.

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À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

“I am the Lord, who heals you.”

Exodus 15:26

_{*Many thanks to the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee for providing the historical information in their State Capitol Tour Guide, as well as good ol’ Wikipedia.}