Built in 1798, the State House is widely acclaimed as one of the more magnificent buildings in the US. The golden dome, its most distinct feature, once made of wood, was most recently gilded in 1997.
Don't miss the informative tours available here daily. Best to call ahead for timings and reserve. Great insight to the workings of the state's legislators - House of reps and the senates.
The dome was painted gray during WWII to keep it dark during black outs, then re-gilded with 23k gold in 1997. The gold leaf is so thin that if rolled together, would be about the size of a pineapple
The tours are given weekdays year-round from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, and are free of charge. The building is open from 8:45 am to 5 pm. The Massachusetts State House is closed on weekends and holidays.
Free tours before 3.30pm each day. Really beautiful and worth a visit. Enter via the general hooker entrance (not the main entrance, that's ceremonial).
Building started on July 4th 1795, when, with Samuel Adam and Paul Revere presiding, 15 white horses (one for each state in the union -13 plus Vermont and Kentucky) pulled the cornerstone up the hill.
