Friends of the Vermont State House facts for kids
The Friends of the Vermont State House is a special group that works to protect and show off the historic Vermont State House. This building is super important because it's where Vermont's lawmakers meet to create laws.
The Friends group is a non-profit, which means they don't make money for themselves. Instead, they use their funds to restore, care for, and help people understand the State House. They work closely with the people who run the government, like the Vermont General Assembly, to make sure the building stays beautiful and respected. Anyone can join this group!
What the Friends Do
The main goal of the Friends of the Vermont State House is to make sure the Capitol building is the most important building in Vermont. They want to keep its history alive and help everyone learn about it.
They focus on:
- Making sure the building's old features are kept safe.
- Bringing back parts of the building to how they looked long ago.
- Helping people appreciate the building and the amazing things inside it.
They work with government officials to make sure the State House keeps its important role.
Bringing History Back to Life
In the early 1980s, the Friends group started a big plan to restore the State House. They looked at old photos, drawings, and documents from when the building was first finished in 1859. This research helped them figure out how everything used to look.
The Friends even paid for a special curator (someone who takes care of historical items) and a tour guide leader. Eventually, the state government saw how important these jobs were and started paying for them!
Much of their early work was about fixing changes made in the 1970s that didn't respect the building's history. It was a tricky job because the building is used a lot when lawmakers are working. Over 20 years, the State House changed a lot!
For example:
- The two main rooms where laws are made now look just like they did in 1859.
- Old furniture that had plastic covers in the 1970s was fixed with real silk and horsehair fabrics.
- Special carpets from the past were rewoven and put back in.
- Old lights (chandeliers and sconces) were repaired.
- New curtains were made to look exactly like the ones in old photos.
Today, the Vermont State House is amazing! The New York Times newspaper even said it was "like a Fabergé egg," which means it's beautiful and detailed. While taxpayers help pay for big things like new carpets, the Friends group helps buy special historical items for the State House.
Recently, the Friends bought an old bronze desk lamp from around 1858. It has a tiny statue of the Greek Slave by sculptor Hiram Powers. The Friends have also published a new book called "Intimate Grandeur" that tells the story of the State House.
How the Friends Get Money
The Friends of the Vermont State House have spent over a million dollars making the building look great again! They get their money from several places:
- People who become members of the group.
- Donations from individuals.
- Selling books and other items in their gift shop, "Under the Dome."
- Holding special events, often right inside the State House!
