Montana State Capitol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montana State Capitol |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical Renaissance Revival (interior) |
| Town or city | Helena, Montana |
| Country | United States |
| Construction started | 1899 |
| Completed | 1902 |
| Cost | US$540,000 |
| Client | State of Montana |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Bell & Kent; Link & Haire; F. M. Andrews & Company |
The Montana State Capitol is a very important building in Montana. It is where the state's government, called the Montana State Legislature, meets to make laws. You can find this grand building in Helena, which is the capital city of Montana.
The Capitol building is located at 1301 East Sixth Avenue. It was built a long time ago, between 1896 and 1902. Later, between 1909 and 1912, two extra parts, called wing-annexes, were added to make it even bigger.
Contents
History of the Montana Capitol Building
Building such an important place starts with a plan! In 1896, there was a special contest to pick the best design for the new Capitol building. A group of people, called the commission, chose a design by an architect named George R. Mann.
Choosing the Right Design
In 1897, the first group in charge of the building project was replaced. A new group, called the second Capitol Commission, took over. They decided that Mann's plan would cost too much money. So, they held another design contest.
This time, the winners were Charles Emlen Bell and John Hackett Kent, from a company called Bell & Kent. To make sure their design could be built, Bell and Kent moved their office right to Helena.
Even though George R. Mann's design wasn't used in Montana, it was later chosen as the basic plan for the Arkansas State Capitol building.
Changes During Construction
The winning design by Bell & Kent actually changed a bit while the building was being put together. In 1901, the commission asked for the dome on top to be made taller. They wanted the building to look even more impressive.
Kent, one of the architects, didn't like this change. He wanted his original dome to be "pure Greek" style, which meant it would be lower and more rounded. But Bell, the other architect, agreed with the commission's request.
Adding New Wings
Later, between 1909 and 1912, the Capitol building grew even more. Two new sections, called wings, were added to the eastern and western sides. This work was done by architects Link & Haire from Butte. They also had help from F. M. Andrews & Company from New York as advisors.
Architecture and Design of the Capitol
The Montana State Capitol is a beautiful building made from local Montana sandstone and granite. Its style is called Greek neoclassical, which means it looks a lot like ancient Greek buildings. This style is known for its grand columns and balanced look.
The building is so special that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important part of history! The big dome on top is covered with shiny copper. At the very top of the dome stands a statue of a woman, often called Lady Liberty.
Art Inside the Capitol
One of the most amazing parts inside the Capitol is the huge central area called the rotunda. Around this rotunda, you'll see four large, round paintings. These paintings were made for the Capitol's opening in 1902 by a company called F. Pedretti's Sons.
Paintings in the Rotunda
The four paintings show important types of people from Montana's early history:
- A Native American (thought to be Chief Charlo)
- An explorer and fur trapper (Jim Bridger)
- A gold miner (Henry Finnis Edgar, who helped find gold at Alder Gulch)
- A cowboy (whose identity is unknown, but was inspired by the art of C.M. Russell)
The Pedretti brothers also created more artwork for the Senate and the Old Supreme Court Chambers.
Other Artworks in the Capitol
In the southern part of the rotunda, there's a curved painting called Driving The Golden Spike. This painting was made by Amédée Joullin. The room that used to be the State Law Library, now used for meetings, has ten paintings of Montana landscapes by Ralph E. DeCamp. The lobby of the House of Representatives features six scenes by Edgar S. Paxson, showing important moments from early Montana history.
Charles M. Russell's Famous Painting
The most famous piece of art in the Capitol is by Montana's well-known Western artist, Charles M. Russell. This painting, created in 1912, is called Lewis and Clark Meeting the Flathead Indians at Ross' Hole. It is very big, about 25 feet (7.6 meters) long and 12 feet (3.7 meters) high!
The painting shows the famous explorers Lewis and Clark meeting the Bitterroot Salish people. This meeting happened when Lewis and Clark were returning across the Bitterroot Mountains after their journey to the Pacific Ocean. Today, this amazing painting is displayed above the Speaker's chair in the House of Representatives' chamber.
See also
In Spanish: Capitolio del Estado de Montana para niños
