New York State Capitol
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| New York State Capitol | |
 The New York State Capitol viewed from the east |
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| Building information | |
|---|---|
| Town | Albany, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Architect | Thomas Fuller Leopold Eidlitz Henry Hobson Richardson Isaac G. Perry |
| Client | New York State |
| Construction start date | 1867 |
| Completion date | 1899 |
| Cost | $25 million |
| Style | Renaissance and Romanesque |
| New York State Capitol | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
| Location: | Albany, New York |
| Built/Founded: | 1868 |
| Designated as NHL: | January 29, 1979 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | February 18, 1971[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 71000519 |
The New York State Capitol is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York. Housing the New York Legislature, it is located in the state capital of Albany on State Street in Capitol Park. The building, completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million (roughly half a billion current dollars), was the most expensive government building of its time. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1979.[1][3]
The Capitol was constructed between 1867 and 1899 and inspired by the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) in Paris, France. Three teams of architects designed it. The building is constructed in both Romanesque and Renaissance styles. This has led some historians to dub it "The Battle of the Styles." Notable architectural features include its interior "Million Dollar Staircase" and massive, 166 foot long exterior Eastern Staircase. The Capitol exterior is made of white granite from Hallowell, Maine, and the building incorporates marble cut by state prisoners at Sing Sing. The granite structure is 220 feet (67 meters) tall at its highest point, and it is one of ten U.S. state capitols that does not have a domed roof. Underground tunnels connect it to the Empire State Plaza and Alfred E. Smith Building. The building's exterior is currently undergoing restoration.
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[edit] Architects
Three teams of architects worked on the design of the Capitol during the 32 years of its construction. They were led by:
- 1867-75: Thomas Fuller
- 1875-83: Leopold Eidlitz and Henry Hobson Richardson
- 1883-99: Isaac G. Perry
Construction began in 1869. Lieutenant Governor William Dorsheimer dismissed Fuller in favor of Eidlitz and Richardson.[4] According to one source, it "was Richardson who dominated the final outcome of the grand building, which evolved into his distinguished Romanesque style" (which came to be known as Richardsonian Romanesque).[5] Eidlitz and Richardson, however, were dismissed by Grover Cleveland upon his election to governorship and his review of the mounting costs of construction. He hired Perry to complete the project.[6]
The building cost twice the cost to construct the United States Capitol.[7]
[edit] Photographs
 The Capitol viewed from the west |
 The Capitol viewed from the east |
 Another view from the east |
 A statue of George Washington behind the Capitol |
 The Capitol viewed from the Corning Tower |
[edit] References
- ^ a b New York State Capitol. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ Carolyn Pitts (January 1979), http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/71000519.pdf National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: New York State Capitol]PDF (437 KiB), National Park Service and http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/71000519.pdf Accompanying 1 photo, exterior, undated.]PDF (289 KiB)
- ^ Historic New York: Architectural Journeys in the Empire State - Chapter 8, Finger Lakes
- ^ Historic New York: Architectural Journeys in the Empire State - Chapter 8, Finger Lakes
- ^ Historic New York: Architectural Journeys in the Empire State - Chapter 8, Finger Lakes
- ^ Historic New York: Architectural Journeys in the Empire State - Chapter 8, Finger Lakes
[edit] External links
- New York State Capitol Virtual Tour
- New York State Capitol at Wonders of the World Databank
- Visiting the New York State Capitol
- New York State Capitol History and Timeline
- New York State Capitol sample page from a coffee-table book
- New York State Capitol: 30 photos
- New York State Capitol is at coordinates Coordinates:
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