Being a die-hard Minnesotan since I was in 5th grade, one would assume I'd been to the State Capitol building. Nope, haven't been there. In an attempt to remedy my lack of exposure to my new St. Paul home, there's going to be a building tour in my life for the next several months. It's my intent to discover some of St. Paul's history by finally touring the buildings I should have seen many long years ago.
The picture at left shows one of the corridors in the St. Paul Capitol. The architect, Cass Gilbert, was a genius in my eyes. This view impacted me because of the repetition in the arch lines. Over and over the same curve repeated even down the stairs into the lower level. The impact and creativity of this kind of design constantly impresses me. Little details surprised me like finding "M's" painted, sculpted, and hidden throughout the building; the Lady Slipper (our state flower) in the capitals of the columns, the wrought iron gates, and in the frescoes; the symbolism of the murals; the "North Star" inlay in the floor of the rotunda; and the careful attention to every minute bit of symbolism totally floored me.
Buildings are my life, but this building is so much more than a building. It makes a statement. It tells a story. It impresses. It plans to stay. It tells the world who Minnesotans are!
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