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| 2005.11.04 - Capital Tour | ||||||||
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I went back down to Olympia for a meeting, and since I had some time to
kill afterwards, while the Shadow Lady did some errands, I walked up to
the Capital Complex, and took some pictures. It was a bit drizzly, and overcast, so the colors weren't as bright as they could have been, but it wasn't too bad, and I managed to have a good time. Just as she got to the Capital to pick me up, the hourly tour was starting, so we hopped in the group, and took the tour. |
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The colors of fall are still around... the tree in the picture to the
right was covered in moss... I counted three squirrels on it... but every
time I tried to get a picture, they'd duck around to the other side...
I walked up pretty close to the WW1 memorial... |
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The huge bronze statue is quite the centerpiece for a 'round-a-bout' at
the entry way into the complex. Hmmm... a quote from Jesus... I'm surprised there's no protests! |
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The columns at the entry way into the Legislative Building, which contains
the chambers for the House and the Senate, as well as the offices of the
Governor, Lt Governor, and Secretary of State, among some others, are
quite grandiose. Corinthian, I think. |
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The space behind the columns is lit with two large lanterns, one at each end, affixed to the wall. They're quite impressive! The ceiling of the 'porch' is inlaid with carved marble blocks... I'm sure I should know the type of flower, but it escapes me. Its repeated all over the structure, though, which is why I think I should know! The panels in the large bronze doors have scenes from Washington's past on them. RIGHT: The first capital building, from the 1860's. BELOW LEFT: An Ox team pulling logs through the Old Growth forest. BELOW RIGHT: A tall ship bringing supplies and shipping into the Puget Sound. |
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The knockers of the doors are lions holding the rings, protruding from fir
branches... Washington is the "Evergreen State", afterall... The ceiling in the foyer is quite spectacular. |
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In the alcove on the right of the foyer is a statue of Marcus Whitman, a
missionary and pioneer who was instrumental in the settlement of Eastern
Washington. He provided religious and medical assistance to the Native Americans and White Settlers alike, but was killed in a raid by Yakima Indians during a period of hostilities. |
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The rotunda landing is pretty simply decorated... The Official State Seal is centered on the floor, and there are large ceremonial flame pots in the corners, a throwback to the Roman custom of lighting the pots when their Senators were in session... I'm not sure if they light up or not, but I doubt it... On each side of the pots are the 39 flags of the counties. | |||||||
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The Dome towers 175 above the landing. The design called for 185
feet, and it was measured in the 1950's at 186 feet and 167 feet, using
different methods, so there was some contention as to how high the inside
space was. Recently, a laser device was used to settle the matter. The chandelier weight 10,000 lbs! It is the heaviest ever built by Tiffany's of New York. |
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The most ornate room in the building is the State Reception Room. It
is this room that has the only gold used in the building - on the
curtains.
Everything else that looks like gold is actually bronze. |
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In the Reception room, the first flag that flew over the state house is on
display. Faded over the years, it has 42 stars: Washington was the
42nd state to enter the Union. All of the lighting was designed and built by Tiffany's... it's quite ornate! |
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The viewing gallery for the House and Senate are open to the public, even
during sessions. Pictures, taping, and pictures with flash are
encouraged. The goal was - and is - to remain as transparent to the public as possible. |
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Both houses have cameras in the corners (you can see it in the House
Chamber above. The House uses electronic voting - you can see the red and green buttons on each table. The Senate, however, uses a roll call to cast its voting. In all, it was a very fun tour... We'll do it again, I'm sure! |
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