State House
Boston
This is the Massachusetts government building, at the top of Beacon Hill. Here the two assemblies that make the laws of Massachusetts meet, and here the governor works.
A building on the hill
Before, the seat of government was a smaller building in the center of the city. In 1795 Massachusetts bought land at the top of the hill that belonged to the Hancock family. The new building was finished in 1798, and it stood at the highest point in the city.
The architect Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch had studied the great buildings of Europe. He was inspired by the Italian architect Andrea Palladio and by the elegant buildings he had seen on his travels. The facade rises in steps: first the arches, then the portico, the roof and finally the dome.
A dome that changes color
The first dome was covered with shingles and let the water through. In 1802 it was covered with metal, then painted gray and pale yellow. In 1874 the gold leaf arrived. In 1997 the dome was gilded once again.
The building grows
Over the years the building stretched out at the back with a wing of yellow brick. Then came two wings of white marble on the sides. Today it covers almost three hectares of land. But Bulfinch's facade, the one you see, has stayed almost the same.
