Victor Huang: Blog 5, Massachusetts State House

Huang Weize, Victor

Exploring America/Summer Semester

3/7/2010

Blog 5

Massachusetts State House

This Friday, I went to Massachusetts State House which is the state capitol and seat of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The weather was too hot for to quicken our pace of steps. Plentiful sweat evaporated from our surface skin. Finally, we succeeded in reaching our destination by taking green line train.

When I saw this state house for the first time, I was appealed by its special appearance, especially the golden dome which was on top of the building. When we got into the inside of the building, there was a guider who leaded us to visit the whole structure while talking its culture and the peculiar origin. According to her sayings, the original wood dome, which leaked, was covered with copper in 1802 by Paul Revere's company. The dome was first painted gray and then light yellow before being gilded with gold leaf in 1874. During world war two, the dome was once again painted black or gray in order to prevent reflections during blackouts and to protect the city and building from bombing attacks. In 1997, at a cost of more than $300,000, the dome was re-gilded, in 23k gold. When I got out of the state house, I had a look on the dome again. The dome is topped with a pine cone, symbolizing both the importance of Boston's lumber industry in the early colonial days and of the state of Maine, which was a district of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when the Bulfinch section of the building was completed.

Aside from the dome, there were also other fascinating things inside the building. Here, I want to introduce a very interesting habit. There is a staircase in front of the Bulfinch building leading from Beacon Street to Doric Hall inside the building. The large main doors inside Doric Hall are only opened on three occasions. The first occasion is when the President of the United States or foreign head of state visits. The second one is when the Governor exits the building on his last day in office. The third one is when a regimental flag returns from battle.

Having visited this state house, I dreamed of getting into this building by walking through the large main door. Moreover, I really expected that I could stand on the dome to view the scenery around the building one day. This is a joyful journey even if the weather is so hot that even makes this journey more impressive.