The Wisconsin State Capitol Building is a historic government building located in Madison, Wisconsin. The Beaux Arts-style building was designed by George B. Post and constructed between 1906 and 1917 to replace the previous state capitol, which burned down in 1904. The present building serves as the home of the Wisconsin State Assembly, the Wisconsin State Senate, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the Office of the Governor of Wisconsin.
The building is the fourth state capitol to house the state government since Wisconsin’s establishment in 1848. The first capitol building was located in the village of Belmont, Wisconsin, before moving to Burlington, Iowa, until a capitol building could be completed in Madison. The second and third capitol buildings were eventually replaced due to growth in population and government needs.
The present building stands 284 feet (86 meters) tall to the top of the statue on the dome, which features a personification of the state of Wisconsin with the outstretched arm representing the state motto, “Forward”. The exterior is clad in Bethel white granite with an additional 42 types of stone from eight states and six countries utilized on the interior. The building has a Greek cross footprint with wings aligned with compass directions and radial streets that slice through the surrounding street grid.
The building underwent a major renovation in the 1970s and underwent further projects between 1988 and 2002 to restore the building while updating systems and functions for modern government needs. The exterior of the wings features porticoes with corinthian columns, arched windows, and pediments with sculptural reliefs created by various artists.
Overall, the Wisconsin State Capitol Building is an iconic part of Wisconsin’s history and serves as an important government building for the state.