I Love Our State Capitol. There, I Said It.

I’m a West Virginia girl, through and through.  Yesterday I took my family to our State Capitol Building in Charleston because it is beautiful and it is ours.  Reason enough!

We started our visit with the West Virginia Veteran’s Memorial.  Once I was done crying (sorry kids) we moved on to the Cultural Center.  The museum section is closed for renovations but I was able to snag a picture of one of the chandeliers.  There are two in the lobby and I have always been impressed with them.  They always remind me of a childhood field trip.  Our guide was a nice lady who showed us her necklace, a pendant with a gold cage filled with diamonds, like the chandeliers.  Now I can’t “unsee” it when I’m there, those chandeliers are caged diamonds to me.  Little One didn’t like me standing directly under the chandelier, but hey – I’m just crazy like that.

Then we walked the grounds of the Capitol.  We have the most beautiful Capitol building in the whole United States – I dare you to prove otherwise!  The dome is covered in gold leaf and at 293 feet high is taller than our U.S. Capitol.  The dome was recently restored to its original design.  Previously the entire dome had been gold.  A little pretentious, maybe?  I prefer it this way.  It should also be noted that most of the work was paid for with donations.  We’re Givers.  You can see some great photos of the capitol here. 

Our state is the only one created by proclamation of a president.  We’re a little different around here and don’t care much about following the crowd.  We do what we think is right, and we asked President Lincoln for permission to pull away from Virginia during the Civil War.  He wrestled with this decision, and in memory of the deep thought he put into making us a state, there is a statue right in front of the Capitol called “Lincoln Walks At Midnight”.  I’ve seen us called “Faithful Traitors” because we asked for our independence.  Eh, I’ll take it.  Thank you, President Lincoln.  I hope we’ve done you proud.  (Also visit this very nice, straight talkin'  West Virginia political blog called "Lincoln Walks at Midnight".)

The Capitol grounds are beautiful, and the building is impressive.  Taking a little time to walk around here should be mandatory for all West Virginians.  We have a beautiful state and the Capitol is our crowning glory.  Situated along the Kanawha River, surrounded by our beautiful mountains – it’s easy to remember why we love this place.