How to Rate State Capitols? Here's Our Criteria

Eric and I reviewed the State Capitols we visited.  Each is different.... The construction materials used, the landscaping and exterior statuary, the interior style of the building, the presentation of symbolism and the history of the state are all very important. Each state makes its statement differently in the construction of and presentation of their State Capitol. 

We found that having visited 10 State Capitols, we weren't comfortable with a numeric rating system... We haven't visited enough Capitols to rate this way with any sense of confidence. 

With only 10 State Capitol Visits, we have two criteria to present: Capitols Where We Were Excited by Our Visit OR Capitols Where We Had Mixed Reactions to Our Visit.  These criteria are obviously not quantifiable, but I can put forward a list of State Capitols that we were excited and energized by our visit and those Capitol visits that left us with a kind of sad feeling.

Capitols Where We Were Excited by Our Visit

Eric & I were amazed that the
Ohio Statehouse doesn't have
a security gate and guard.

The tour was very thorough,
showing off the state's history,
symbols & artworks.

 Oregon's State Capitol is

Art Deco, completed in 1938.

It is open and spacious with

murals of Oregon's history.

Our tour was AMAZING.

I "gaveled in the Senate" &

Eric "signed a bill" at the

Governor's Desk.

*No Security Gates

The Idaho State Capitol is

open 7 days a week! 

There was no tour on Sunday, 

but the building is very open....

We went into the legislative 

galleries to take pictures.

The artwork is very beautiful.

*No Security Gates

 Eric was very impressed with the

setting of the Utah State Capitol.

Skylights provide natural lighting

in the Legislative Chambers.

  The interior walls are covered with

 sheets of marble. The steel doors

 are painted to look like wood.

*No Security Gates

The Wyoming State Capitol has
beautiful painted walls, marble floors
& sweeping cherry staircases.
The archways are picturesque.
Our tour guide shared the history
of the building, including some
scandalous stories.
*No Security Gates

Gloria provided an in depth tour of

the Nebraska State Capitol.  This building

has Classical and Gothic architectural

themes.  Attention to symbolism,
 natural history and artwork portraying

 Nebraska's history are on display.

Eric and I went up to the spire to see

art work there & take picture

of Lincoln from the top of the Capitol.

*No Security Gates

The Iowa State Capitol was set up with
many tables for the Annual World Food Prize.

This Renaissance style building has
beautiful Legislative & Supreme Court
Chambers.  The Law Library is stunning, with spiral staircases, antique furniture. The venetian glass
mosaics are amazing!
Eric & I went up into the dome. 
*Security Gates

The New York State Capitol

charmed  Eric.  Restorations to the

Great Western Staircase, Skylights,  &

the Assembly Chamber are beautiful.

  The Hall of Governors is wonderful.

**Having visited this Romanesque

 & Neoclassical building often,

I let Eric review it.

*Security Gates

State Capitols Where We Had Mixed Reactions to Our Visit

The Illinois State Capitol Tour was
short and lacked information.
The interior and works of art were
nice. We may have appreciated them
more, had there been explanations.

Eric noticed this State Capitol has
the most burnt out light bulbs of all
the Capitols we visited. 
*Security Gates

The Indiana State Capitol tour

was very good, filled with information.

Indianans are practical & the Capitol

shows this. Eric & I were disappointed

 by the Legislative Chambers that had

 been made smaller to make space for

the Legislators' Offices.

*Security Gates