State Capitol Celebrates 100th Birthday
By Claire Robling
January 7, 2005
The first day of the legislative session is usually fairly ceremonial, but this year we added extra celebration to the ceremony as we observed the 100th birthday of the Minnesota State Capitol. The State Capitol officially became the home of Minnesota’s state government on Jan. 2, 1905, the first day of the legislative session that year.
A birthday party in the Capitol rotunda was held to observe this historic event. I made a special effort to attend, figuring that my chance of being around for its 200th birthday is slim to zero. It was really a delightful event. There were actors dressed as Cass Gilbert, the Capitol’s architect, and “Olaf,” one of the workers on the project, and they provided some history about the nine-year construction process that resulted in what many of us believe is the most beautiful state capitol in the country. We also had a visit from a woman who was born the year the capitol was built, a centurion from New Hope.
Former governors were also in attendance, as well as Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who spoke about how the Minnesota State Capitol is the most visible structure in our state representing freedom and democracy. I know that even though I have worked here for eight years, I still look up with awe every time I drive down John Ireland Boulevard toward the Capitol. What a beautiful sight it is, and I feel so honored to be working within its marble-pillared, ornate, and high-domed complex where hundreds of elected representatives have come to serve the people of Minnesota for the last 100 years.
The Capitol contains so much of our state’s history, from the paintings that include Native American and Civil War scenes in the Governor’s Reception Room, to the artwork that features the state’s flower, the Lady Slipper, and the in-laid glass “Star of the North” in the Capitol rotunda. There are busts of famous Minnesota leaders, and painted portraits of each of our governors. (My, some of them look sterner and much older than our current governor.)
The Capitol cost $4.5 million when it was originally built. It is estimated that it would cost at least $400 million to build it today. I still marvel at how they got those huge marble pillars set in place, absent the modern equipment we have today. I am also impressed that our predecessors built such a solid structure that will last for centuries if we continue to properly maintain it.
During the birthday party an overture that was composed by Minnesotan Carol Barnett especially for the Capitol’s birthday was performed by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Chorus. Called “The People’s Room in 2004,” the words of the song emphasize that the Capitol was created for people to participate. “The rotunda is really the people’s room,” was the refrain, as well as words of welcome in the languages of the major immigrant groups that came to make Minnesota their home. A brief, quiet section of the song voices a response from the Ojibwe people, “Thank you for coming – let’s work together.” It was a line that struck me as I sat among colleagues as we were beginning a new legislative session, following one which ended in discord. I am hopeful that this session we will work together to accomplish the work of the people. We have a new 100-year period in this Capitol, and we owe it to the people who had the vision to form our government and build this beautiful structure to make every effort possible to continue the tradition of service and joint effort that our forefathers demonstrated.
Please make sure you come to visit the Capitol during its centennial year. It truly is beautiful.
State Senator Claire Robling was elected to her 3rd term in the Minnesota Senate in 2002. She encourages and appreciate constituent input, and can be reached at (651)296-4123, by mail at 143 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via e-mail at sen.claire.robling@senate.mn.
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