Pennsylvania's State Capitol is a priceless architectural and artistic treasure, a majestic symbol o
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Did you know, Pennsylvania is officially a Commonwealth rather than a State? This word comes from the Old English and means the “commonwealth” or the well-being of the people. There are four Commonwealths in the Nation, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania is a must-see during your visit to Harrisburg! This interesting round structure is located right next door to the Capitol and has 6 stories of Pennsylvania history. Check out their website or page for hours of operation and fun up and coming events!
November 15, 1904, marked the beginning of the construction of the Capitol dome. The total weight of the finished dome is fifty-two million pounds. There are over 10 million bricks used in the iron and steel superstructure. Since 1906 the Pennsylvania Capitol Dome has shaped the Harrisburg skyline and serves as the crowning jewel atop our stunning statehouse!
there have been 3 Governor’s Mansion’s? The current mansion we know, and love was built in 1968 on McClay and Front Streets with beautiful views of our Susquehanna River! You can visit the website, www.residence.pa.gov to get more information and schedule visits!
Built on the Susquehanna River, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence has served as a home to eight governor's and their families.
The American bison were once numbered between 40-60 million before European settlers. A subspecies of the American bison, the plain bison, extended their historic range eastward into central and western Pennsylvania, probably until the late 1700’s. The bison in the east roamed in smaller herds because there was less grass and more trees. Bison are the only “cattle” native to North America!
Fun Fact! The oldest gas station in America is in Altoona, PA. Two hours away from our Capital City, “Reighards”, has sat virtually unchanged in the small town since 1906! Pennsylvania is full of amazing history!
Pennsylvania Supreme Court is celebrating its 300th Anniversary! It was established in 1722, and one of our Supreme Court Justices William Bradford served as Chief Justice 1791- 1794. He was quite an extraordinary person, he was the Attorney General for Pennsylvania 1780-1791, President George Washington appointed him US Attorney General 1794 – 1795, and Bradford County was named after him!
The beginning of the construction for our current PA Capitol building began on November 7, 1902. The General Assembly had appropriated $4 million for the construction of the Capitol. It did not limit the total amount to be used in furnishing the building. The end cost of the completed building hit a total of $13 million!
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the U.S. He was famous for his kind heart, top hat and flair for speaking. He also gave one of the most iconic speeches of his time in Gettysburg, PA. Our Capitol muralist, Violet Oakley recreated the scene of Lincoln’s famous speech for our Senate Chamber, come in and see her interpretation of this historical moment!
Our Swearing in Pins have arrived! Get your piece of Capitol History, perfect for your lapel, ball cap or sweater! Visit the Capitol Shop to get yours today! Hours of operation are weekdays only from 9:30am to 3:30pm!
Today, November 2nd, 1734, pioneer and frontiersman Daniel Boone was born in Berks County. He was one of 11 children born in a Quaker Family that settled in Pennsylvania. This famous figure is even depicted in the “Apotheosis of Pennsylvania” one of the largest murals created for our “Palace of Art!”
The Senate Library is always another wonderful place to visit while here in our Capitol building! Located just steps away from the front desk the library has many points of interest and exhibits to see on weekdays before or after your tour!
The only witch trial in Pennsylvania was presided over by our founder William Penn. He asked the husband of the accused to pay a good faith “fine” and after 6 months' time the money would be returned to him. Penn believed in a fair trial and did not believe in the death penalty because of his Quaker faith, which worked out well for the “witch” in question.
The Whitaker Center is offering Halloween fun for kids and parents this weekend! Go to their website to check out exhibits and offers! There will also be limited showings of the classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”!
Whitaker Center located in Harrisburg, PA offers live music, concerts, theater performances, movies, science exhibitions, and activities for children.
Halloween is right around the corner and our Capitol Shop has one of the spookiest books around! Weird Pennsylvania is worth the read! It features insight into some of the best haunted areas in the State and ghostly stories that might keep you up at night! Visit our Shop on weekdays, hours are 9:30am to 3:30pm.
the first full size corn maze was created in Annville, PA in 1993?! This living labyrinth takes up acres of space and even features different themes every year! Visit www.amaericanmaze.com to learn more!
there are over 200 covered bridges in PA! These historic icons can be found all over the state from Gettysburg to Indiana, PA.
one of America’s most influential writers of the 19th century, Edgar Allan Poe, owned a house in Philadelphia? It’s where he wrote and published some of his greatest tales, such as, The Black Cat.
Almost fifty years ago, October 22,1972, the Millersburg Ferry received it’s Pennsylvania Historical Marker in Dauphin County on Market and North Streets. This ferry is the only remaining ferry on the Susquehanna River and the only wooden stern wheeler in the United States.
DYK the display cases in the Rotunda used to hold flags from the Civil War? From 1914 until the 1980’s you could see original battle flags. You can still visit these historic flags by appointment! Visit www.pacivilwarflags.org for more information!
On our busiest session days don’t forget to visit the Welcome Center in the East Wing of the Capitol building! Our tours can be affected on certain days when our Senate and House are hard at work, but the Welcome Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30pm so you can learn all about PA History!
Governor Wolf recently announced there will be three new State Parks in PA! The proposed names of these parks are the Susquehanna Riverlands in York County, Vosburg Neck in Wyoming County, and Big Elk Creek in Chester County. They are expected to be in operation in the year 2026 and this would give Pennsylvania a total of 124 parks in our state!
The equestrian statue in front of the Ryan building of John F. Hartranft predates our Capitol building! It was located directly in front of the main entrance in 1899 before it was moved. Hartranft was the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1873 until 1878.
Did you know on this day, October 14,1644, William Penn was born in London, United Kingdom? He was the founder of Pennsylvania, a Quaker, and promoted religious tolerance. His simple framework of government inspired our founding fathers, self-government, religious freedom and fair trials.
Don’t forget to visit the Capitol Shop while you’re in the building during the weekdays! Located in the East Wing, our shop carries it all, from historical treasures to comfy sweatshirts for this beautiful crisp weather! Our hours are typically Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Autumn is sneaking up on us! It’s a great time to walk around the Capitol building to take in the changing colors of the season! There are beautiful paths and landmarks all throughout the complex that offer a peek into the history of our past!
This iconic kinetic clock is in Strawberry Square, just steps away from our Capitol! This is a great opportunity to see the clock before it moves to its new home!
It may be time for a change in Strawberry Square’s atrium, but its iconic clock will keep on ticking as it’s handed off to a new home. Harristown Enterprises announced on Friday that the over 30-year-old Chockablock Clock will move to Shippensburg University as Strawberry Square begins a new con...
Pennsylvania has 67 Counties? Some of the Counties are named after Native American Cultural terms, U.S. Presidents, and Statesman. Pennsylvania County names are as diverse as the people that live here. Come visit, it’s one of the most beautiful states in our country!
In 1936 the Hoover Dam began creating hydroelectric power! This dam is a beacon of hope, built during the great depression it was meant to show the strength we must overcome in the darkest of times. It’s considered one of the most incredible man-made structures of all time.
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It took quite some time to install the artwork into our Capitol…. could you imagine what it looked like before? It’s only documented in a few publications! Here’s a post card of the Main Rotunda in the Capitol before the murals were installed.
A well-loved painting by Violet Oakley in our Supreme courtroom has a secret message hidden within its design. The Divine Law shows the words LOVE, LAW AND WISDOM disguised amongst the celestial backdrop and angelic female face that overwhelms the tapestry. Can you find the words?
The Pennsylvania legislature voted in 1810 to relocate the Capital City to Harrisburg in October 1812 onto the land originally given by Harris a decade earlier. The legislature met in the old Dauphin County courthouse for the next decade until a new capitol was constructed.
The Barnard Statues were dedicated on this date in 1911 the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the Capitol. George Grey Barnard, a Bellefonte native, considered them to be his best work. We have a detailed description located at the information desk in our Rotunda, stop by to ask for one and read all about the history of the statues!
that the Whitetail Deer became the Official State Animal on October 2, 1959, and that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the nation's first game laws in 1721 to protect these valuable animals? There are also two counties in PA that have more deer than people! It’s part of our PA trivia in the Welcome Center! Come in and see for yourself!
With the weather cooling off now is a great opportunity to pick up a Landmarks brochure after your tour of the Capitol and walk around the building! There are historic and informative plaques, sculptures, and quotes all throughout our complex!
One FAQ here at the Capitol is “What does the Pennsylvania Supreme Court do?”. According to Ballotpedia.org: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the ultimate authority on matters brought before lower courts. The Court hears direct appeals from lower courts' decisions and answers requests for interventions in lower courts' proceedings.
One FAQ here at the Capitol is “What does the Pennsylvania Supreme Court do?”. According to Ballotpedia.org: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the ultimate authority on matters brought before lower courts. The Court hears direct appeals from lower courts' decisions and answers requests for interventions in lower courts' proceedings.
One FAQ here at the Capitol is “What does the Pennsylvania Supreme Court do?”. According to Ballotpedia.org: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the ultimate authority on matters brought before lower courts. The Court hears direct appeals from lower courts' decisions and answers requests for interventions in lower courts' proceedings.
Our founder, William Penn, wanted to name our State “Sylvania”, meaning, “woods” but the King of England wanted to honor Penn’s father by adding Penn to the name, creating Pennsylvania or Penn’s Woods.
Harrisburg, PA
17120
| Monday | 8:30am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 4pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 4pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 3pm |
| Sunday | 9am - 3pm |
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