Since we "collect" state capitol buildings, we had to visit the State House of the State of Pennsylvania, located here in Harrisburg. The Capitol Complex is only about 8 miles from our campground, so off we went this morning about 9.
Parking is a bit of a trick downtown, but we finally found a place along the street where parking was "only" $3.00 an hour. We signed up for two hours and hoped for the best.
Approaching the Capitol, we first saw the 272-foot, 52 million-pound dome inspired by Michelangelo's design for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Completed in 1906, it was the tallest structure between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for 80 years. The design is called American Renaissance with Philadelphia architect Joseph Huston creating the original design.
The interior of the dome, the Rotunda, is an exquisite work of art.
At one side of the Rotunda, the Grand Staircase leads upward.
We were told by the tour desk to go to the fourth floor galleries and check out the Senate Chamber. The murals, the cut glass, and the stained glass are awesome. Many of the sculptures are done in wood covered in gold leaf. Unbelievable.
Each of these hanging light fixtures weighs over two tons!
On the other side of the Capitol, the House of Representatives is likewise a complete and overwhelming tribute to the State of Pennsylvania. The mural behind the Speaker's podium is 35 feet square, and depicts explorers, intellectuals and leaders from Pennsylvania's past.
The House Chamber is lit by six chandeliers that weigh from two tons to over four tons each, and require over 1,000 light bulbs. Understandably, they were not illuminated today because the House was not in session.
We had missed the 11:00 am guided tour, and so weren't allowed into the Supreme Court Chambers on our own. The young lady who was staffing the tour desk volunteered to take us into the chamber on her lunch hour. What a nice thing to do!
She also directed us down a corridor toward the Office of the Governor.
The Governor's Office was not open to the public, but the Governor's Reception Room was, where news conferences, receptions and bill signings take place.
The wood carvings and details in the Reception Room are magnificent.
Along one wall of the room is a 100 year old grandfather clock belonging to Governor Daniel Hastings, who served in 1897 at the time the previous capitol building burned.
After lunch, we met Ed and Rosemary and their two granddaughters at Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, PA.
Of course we had to take "The Tour" through a replication of a chocolate factory. We were shown how the Cacao beans are grown, harvested, processed, and eventually, turned into milk chocolate.
One of the most interesting trivia items on the tour was a counter displaying the current days production of Hershey's most appealing products.
And then it was on to….
In a store with samples of all of Hershey's products as well as clothing, glassware, and keychains. In other words, everything necessary to take home Hershey's souvenirs for every member of your Facebook page!
The facility is amazing, and is a tremendous companion to HersheyPark next door, and the Giant Center exposition center across the street.
A perfect end to the day!
Beautiful pics of the Capitol building. I have been to HB so many times and never had time to go for a visit. Something to do when we are back that way!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very nice capitol building, and provides an in depth look at the history of the state.
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