When Cass Gilbert won the commission to design the new Minnesota State Capitol in 1895 he was a well respected architect in his hometown of St. Paul. When it opened in 1905 it was considered one of the best buildings in the country at the time and he was one of the most celebrated architects in the United States. Did you know its self-supported masonry dome is second only to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome?!
After more than a century it was badly in need of restoration and this weekend’s Minnesota State Capitol Grand Opening celebrates the $310 million restoration of Cass Gilbert’s Minnesota masterpiece. Come for free tours including behind-the-scenes looks at some restored spaces not usually open to the public.
Even the governor’s office is open this weekend. It was interesting seeing how modest it is… and fun seeing his desk positioned at the window overlooking the Capitol lawn and the food trucks.
If you miss the celebration this weekend, come see this architectural masterpiece any time. It is open seven days a week, with admission always free and guided tours available every day. It is, after all, The People’s House.
Here are some Capitol facts and figures shared by the Pioneer Press.
- This is Minnesota’s third State Capitol
- The Capitol has the second largest self-supported masonry dome in the world (largest is St. Peter’s in Rome)
- Architect was Cass Gilbert, who also designed the US Supreme Court building
- Gilbert designed 1,500 pieces of furniture for the building, about 800 of which remain today
- The chandelier that hangs in the Capitol rotunda is 6 feet in diameter and weighs 2,000 pounds – it is lit by 92 light bulbs and decorated with 40,000 crystal beads
- Construction began: 1896
- Year opened: 1905
- Construction completed: 1907
- Cost to build in 1905: $4.5 million
- Estimated cost to build in 2017: $518 million
- Cost of recent renovation: $310 million
- Interior space: 378,825 square feet
- Maximum height: 223 feet
- Number of marble blocks used in construction of exterior: 30,000
- Number of murals: 47
- Number of visitors the Capitol receives each year: 120,000