In the fall of 2017, I was on a press tour of Madison, WI, and had the opportunity to tour and photograph the Wisconsin State Capitol. The current building (Wisconsin’s fifth to serve as Capitol) was completed in 1917 and was designed in the Beaux-Arts style. The gilded statue atop the dome was sculpted by Daniel Chester French in 1920 and the four sculptural groups around the base of the dome are by Karl Bitter. These sculptures symbolize “Faith,” “Strength,” “Prosperity” and “Abundance.” The building is beautiful and its setting on the narrow isthmus that separates Lake Mendota and Lake Monona is stunning as well.
I love to visit and photograph state capitols and county courthouses. At times when communities were just establishing themselves as towns, cities, and states, capitols and courthouses offered people a way to brand themselves, to show their wealth, ideology, and the importance of leadership. Often courthouses, in particular, were constructed early on in a community’s development and their size and grandeur far exceeded that of their surroundings. But it was important to make such a statement and to show the hopefulness that the early settlers showed for what their city might one day become. Sadly, many courthouses fell into disrepair or were destroyed by fire and replacements in later years were typically more sensible and restrained. Capitols, on the other hand, still seem to hold their place of honor in the architectural language of their communities.
I have no idea how many capitol buildings I have seen and/or photographed to date, but it’s a lot. Wisconsin’s Capitol in Madison is among my favorites, and is well worth a visit. Tours are available and the lower portion of the dome is accessible for views across Madison and her two lakes. You can visit the Capitol’s centennial website for more information.
