The Beaux Arts-style Wisconsin State Capitol Building was constructed in 1906-1917 after its predecessor, a Classical Revival-style structure with Romanesque Revival elements constructed in stages between 1857 and 1869, burned down in 1904. Designed by George B. Post, it houses both the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate, as well as the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor of Wisconsin.
The building has a greek cross footprint with four five-story wings aligned with the compass directions, with a unique 45-degree angle orientation relative to the Capitol Square and most buildings on adjacent streets. The exterior is clad in Bethel white granite and features porticoes on the ends with Corinthian columns, arched windows on the third floor, rusticated bases with entrance doors and decorative keystones, decorative reliefs featuring festoons over the windows on the porticoes, cornices with modillions and dentils, and pediments with sculptural reliefs.
The building’s wings feature different sculptures on their pediments that embody their symbolism: Law, created by Karl Bitter, is located on the portico pediment of the east wing, Agriculture, also created by Karl Bitter is on the west wing, Virtues and Traits of Character created by Adolph Alexander Weinman is on the north wing, and Wisdom and Learning of the World, created by Attilio Piccirilli is on the south wing.
The dome, which is the largest in the world to be entirely clad in granite, was sculpted in 1920 by Daniel Chester French and is a personification of the state of Wisconsin, with the outstretched arm of the statue representing the state motto, “Forward”. The building underwent a major renovation in the 1970s that covered up many original features, with later projects between 1988 and 2002 restoring while updating the building’s systems and functions.
Overall, the Wisconsin State Capitol Building serves as a symbol of Wisconsin’s history and its government, as well as a unique architectural gem for the state.