Minnesota State Capitol & Governor's Mansion-Saint Paul, MN

A great experience for children and adults alike is visiting State Capitol buildings. We have a goal to visit and tour all 50 State Capitol buildings. 

The Minnesota State Capitol was designed by Cass Gilbert when he was only 35 years old. It was opened on January 5, 1905 after almost 9 years of construction. The marble dome on the Minnesota State Capitol is the world's second largest and was modeled after Michelangelo's marble dome on Saint Peter's Basilica. (I saw the Saint Peter's Basilica dome when I visited the Vatican in 1996. Hope to return to see it again some day.)

The gold leafed statue above the front entrance of the capitol building is called Progress of the State or nicknamed "Quadriga." (A quadriga is a chariot drawn by four horses.) It was designed by Daniel Chester French (designed the statue Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln Memorial) and Edward Clark Potter (best known for equestrian/animal statutes). The four horses represent the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. The two women represent civilization and the man upon the chariot (see his hand in this photo) represents prosperity.

We were so grateful that we were able to visit the Minnesota State Capitol with Dave, Desiree and Ryan. It was a lovely afternoon together.

We love and miss this beautiful family! 

Before we started looking around we bought the Art Treasures in the Minnesota State Capitol booklet. (Information Desk for $2.) It takes you on a really neat scavenger hunt around the interior of the capitol. My kids loved the scavenger hunt and had fun solving the clues. We also picked up the Minnesota State Capitol self-guided tour brochure.

As we entered the Minnesota State Capitol the ceilings had the most stunning arches and hand painted stenciling. It was jaw-dropping! 

The Minnesota State Capitol building was designed in an American Renaissance architectural style. Most of the information used in this post comes from The Minnesota Capitol Official Guide and History by Julie C. Gauthier (published in 1908). Here is a PDF version.

Love the ceilings and artwork in this state capitol. 

Looking from one side of the capitol across to the other.  

Unfortunately, they were restoring both the interior and exterior of the dome when we were there. The rotunda was still quite impressive. Around the base of the dome are four beautiful murals called The Civilization of the Northwest by Edward Simmons. 

The first panel depicts Youth leaving his home by the sea (the East). Youth is held back by Timidity, but he follows Hope (wearing green). Wisdom or Minerva stands nearby (wearing her blue cloak with her helmet and shield).

The second panel depicts Youth with Wisdom and Hope. He scourges from the land a bear which symbolizes savagery, a cougar which symbolizes cowardice, a woman carrying deadly night-shade which symbolizes sin and a man carrying stramonium which symbolizes stupidity.

In the third panel Youth has grown into Man. Hope and Wisdom are still with him. Man removes a boulder of crystal and golds which allows the ground to yield maize and flowers. The woman and child symbolize fertility.

In the fourth panel man in sitting on a throne with Wisdom's cloak upon his shoulder and her shield leaning against his knee.  Hope sits nearby, but no longer leads him. She has flowers and jewels which symbolize prosperity and wealth. Man commands the four winds to bring the products of the state (wheat, minerals, fine arts and knowledge) to all corners of the earth.

L'etoile du Nord is french for Star of the North. There are stars all around the interior of the capitol. One of Minnesota's many nicknames is The North Star State. (Other nicknames include Land of 10,000 Lakes, The Bread and Butter State, The Wheat State, The Gopher State and New England of the West).

The House of Representatives Chamber is opulent! The ceiling was decorated by Elmer Ellsworth Garnsey and has a stunning skylight. In this chamber they hold sessions of the House of Representatives, joint sessions of legislation and also the inaugurations of Minnesota Governors. A portrait of Abraham Lincoln sits above the speakers chair.

Another highlight of this room is an ornate sculpture by Carl Brioschi called Minnesota, the Spirit of Government (circa 1938). The woman in the center represents government holding in her hand is a sceptre which symbolizes authority. In the other hand is an open book with the dates 1849 (establishment of the territory) and 1858 (establishment of the state). On the right side is an early explorer and a pioneer trader. On the left side is an Indian guide and Sacagawea. I love this sculpture!

All along the corridors toward the top of the walls were various quotes. 

The Senate Chamber in the west wing is beautiful with its ornate dome and incredible murals in lunettes. The murals below are by Edwin Blashfield. They are considered his masterpieces. Look at that balcony. Wish we could have sat up in it. All along the wall is a lovely quote by Daniel Webster. 
"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its power, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered."

Sorry about the lousy picture. Had to take it at an awkward angle. This mural is called Minnesota the Granary of the World (circa 1905).  Minnesota is sitting wheat on top of a cart being drawn by two white oxen. A child walks ahead holding a tablet that says in Latin "Haec est Minnesota, Granaria Mundi" which means "This is Minnesota, the granary of the world." On the right is a group of soldiers, nurse, drummer boy and flags with the Spirit of Patriotism over them which represents Minnesota in 1861. On the left is a group of men and women with the Spirit of Agriculture over them holding corn and grains which represents Minnesota in 1900.

Sorry the photo below is so poor. I had to try to photograph through a gated door. The mural is called The Discoverers and Civilizers Led to the Source of the Mississippi (circa 1905). The figure in the center is the chief God of the Indians named the Great Manitou. He holds an urn which pours out the Mississippi River, the Father of Waters. On the right is a group of early explorers and pioneers who are guided by the Spirit of Discovery. On the left is a group of colonists with a priest offering salvation who are guided by the Spirit of Civilization. 

If you look carefully then you will find gophers (the state animal) and pink-and-white lady slippers (the state flower) all throughout the capitol building.

The kids had a lot of fun while wandering around the MN capitol on their scavenger hunt. Alyssa loves learning all the history and little known facts while Braxton and Delaney just love the hunt. The "M" was so elusive. We had to search everywhere, but we were triumphant in the end. 

The staircases in the capitol were incredible. No expense was spared when they created and built this Minnesota treasure. Love the stone used!

It was kind of dark and dreary on the first floor. The little ones thought it was spooky. How would you like to be down here when all the lights go out.

On the North side of the Capitol there is a gorgeous spiral staircase that goes from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor. If we had more time we would have gone up it. It made me dizzy looking up the staircase. 

Loved this large North Star at the bottom of the rotunda on the first floor. It is made of brass and glass and should be viewed from above.

Thanks for the half-hearted photos at the end of our tour. They love photos!

Ryan is the cutest kid. He always needs his Thomas trains. (I have no idea which characters they are, but he sure could let me know.) We turned around and he was licking and rubbing his face on the entrance windows. I just missed getting a photo of it, but he sure thought he was funny!

Look at all of that information on this sign. I noticed it as we were leaving. Wish more buildings put this info up for the public to read.

Directly across from the MN Capitol is the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The exterior sure is beautiful! We went over to check it out, but no one else wanted to go inside with me. My foot was still aching so that was totally fine. Next time we'll have to go inside and check it out.

Looking back across at the Minnesota State Capitol from the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Just beautiful!

The Minnesota Governor's Residence is pretty simple and not too far from the capitol. It really wasn't a big deal at all.

Here's the view of Saint Paul, MN as drove back over a bridge.

Last place we went to see was Bethel University specifically its Bethel Seminary where my dear friend's husband, Dave, is finishing up his studies. He is an amazing man and a truly wonderful man of God. I have no doubt he will be an amazing pastor and such a blessing in the lives of his parishioners.

Saint Paul, MN is a beautiful city and we would love to return to visit it again some day. We had the best day with my friend's darling family!