Raleigh, North Carolina: State Capitol

While most state capitol buildings are generally similar - room for two houses of the legislature, perhaps a Governor's office, etc. - North Carolina's building greets visitors with an odd touch right away.

Walk through the doors to the main rotunda, and you are greeted with a statue of George Washington (shown here).

Well, it's sort of like George Washington.

Sculptor Antonio Canova wanted to honor Washington, so he dressed him as a Roman general. He is shown writing his Farewell Address on a tablet.

There are a few catches. The head doesn't look like the Washington we know. Washington didn't write his farewell address. And if he did, it wouldn't be in Italian. Otherwise, it's perfect. But it's a nice piece of work. The original was destroyed in 1831, but this copy was made in 1970. Still nice.

This Capitol is relatively small. There are rooms for meetings of representatives, and the Governor still has an office. Most of the staff, though, works down the street in an office complex. Some of the work is ceremonial in nature, such as appointments or bill signings. But it's still a grand old building.


Outside, there are the usual statues that surround most capitols. I noticed the one saluting women of the Confederacy, which was unveiled in 1914. There is also a tribute to the three Presidents born in North Carolina (Jackson, Polk and A. Johnson), who oddly were all elected while living in Tennessee.

Be notified of new posts on this site via Twitter @WDX2BB.