Sunday, July 17, 2011

Capital capitol

The Idaho capitol was recently reopened after several years of restoration. We made a short visit during the weekend to check it out.

The building was completed in 1905 and is similar in architectural style to several other state capitols with a central dome and rotunda.


It features columns and beautiful staircases. Some are marble; some are surfaced with scagliola - "fake marble".

In the old days, vaults were necessary to store records and other valuables.

But today, the vault has a different purpose....
:-)

8 comments:

Katie said...

Great photos Mary! Even though I haven't been to Idaho's capitol, it seems like I've been here since as you say so many state capitols have a similar design (domes and rotundas and lots of marble). Great idea to put the lobbyists in the vault!

Anonymous said...

ascend stairs dustfilled with smoking
polemic then
at the top
when confronted with a circus
of open safe
doors,know this film noir you're
navigating
records a true state
of the state
of the nation, colors
streaking marble drive it into
monochromes
absolute as law where you
sign or witness

dive said...

Wow, what a fabulous building, Ms.M. They've certainly done a magnificent job of restoration. Idaho can be proud.
I agree with Katie, the vault is the best place for lobbyists!
Wonderful stuff.

Ms M said...

Thanks, Katie. This building is very similar to the capitol in MO where I grew up, altho the MO capitol has a statue of Ceres (goddess of agriculture) on top. Along with the lobbyists, I can think of a few legislators that should also be put in the vault.

Anon, thank you for your "film noir" poem. :-)

Dive, they did do good job with the restoration. It was almost derailed by a few stringent budget hawks, but luckily they didn't prevail. I laughed when I saw "Lobbyists" on the door of the vault. I wonder if the nation's Capitol in Washington has a vault? I can think of a good use for one....

Visions said...

Beautifully captured, Mary!

Ms M said...

Thank you, Sheila!

Petrea Burchard said...

Wow, gorgeous building. You're correct in that it's similar to other state capitol buildings (Tacoma, Sacramento), but each has its own beauty. It looks like the finest materials were used here.

Ms M said...

Thank you, Petrea. And you're right that even though these capitol buildings are similar, they each have a unique beauty.