The Wisconsin State Capitol Building in Madison, Wisconsin was built in 1906-1917, designed by architect George B. Post in the Beaux Arts style. It houses the Wisconsin State Assembly, Wisconsin State Senate, Wisconsin Supreme Court, and Office of the Governor of Wisconsin. The building is the third to sit on the present site, replacing the previous state capitol that burned down in 1904. The original capitol was built in 1837 as a humble Greek Revival-style building in the village of Belmont, Wisconsin.
The current building’s construction was conducted in stages to provide space for the state government with fiscal efficiency during the project. The building stands at 284 feet tall, constructed with Bethel white granite for the exterior, 42 types of stone for the interior, and has the largest granite-clad dome in the world. The building features a Greek cross-shaped footprint with four five-story wings aligned with the compass directions. The exterior wings feature corinthian columns, decorative keystones, and sculptural reliefs with a variety of symbolism.
Renovations in the 1970s covered up many of the original features, while later projects between 1988 and 2002 restored the building while modernizing the building’s systems and functions for the modern needs of the state government. The building’s central rotunda and dome serve a symbolic purpose rather than being primarily utilitarian. The dome is topped with a statue of a personification of the state of Wisconsin, with the outstretched arm of the statue representing the state motto, “Forward”.