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The majestic Capitol with its gilt and marble halls, vast rotunda, murals and sculpture, sparkling crystals and gold leaf. The symmetry and grandeur of the Capitol Complex's classic buildings with its parks, plazas, fountains, and celebrated statuary.
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Map of the
Capitol Complex
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Dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt upon completion in 1906 and architecturally inspired by St. Peters Basilica in Rome, many consider this pinnacle of the Commonwealth as the finest state capitol building in the United States. The brilliantly restored rotunda and Senate and House of Representative Chambers are particularly exquisite spaces adorned with marble, murals, gold leaf and stained glass.
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1. STATE CAPITOL BUILDING*
N. Third and State Streets
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Rising from the downtown as 18th Century topography is this sylvan oasis, four acres of which were set-aside in 1785 through the original town plan for the hoped-for establishment of Harrisburg as the state capital. Note the stately Mexican War Monument erected in the 1860 in the Park's center.
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2. CAPITOL PARK
N. Third and Walnut Streets
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Spectacular addition to the rear of the Capitol Building through the sensitive application of a neoclassically designed legislative office center, underground parking garage and smaller, yet beautifully executed rotunda to complement that of the main building. Grand atrium lit public spaces.
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3. EAST WING OF THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
Commonwealth Avenue
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Mate to the Forum Building and last to be completed in the original Capitol Complex in 1939. Home to the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury and to the high tech Treasury Investment Center.
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4. FINANCE BUILDING
N. Seventh and North Streets
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Completed in 1931 as continued expansion of the original Capitol Complex and the first to frame the Soldiers Grove Mall. Home to the Pennsylvania State Library and to the splendid Forum Concert Hall with its astrological star-studded ceiling. Building known for its exuberant art deco design.
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5. FORUM BUILDING
Walnut Street at Commonwealth Avenue
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Erected in the early 1950s as one of the first expansion buildings beyond the original Capitol Complex. Headquarters to the Commonwealth's coordination and enforcement of health care and human service operations statewide.
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6. HEALTH AND WELFARE BUILDING
Commonwealth Ave. and Forster Streets - southeast corner
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Completed in 2000 as the newest addition to the Capitol Complex. Massive 845,000 square foot edifice features vast 10 story glass and granite-clad interior atrium. Classic design blends with the original Capitol Complex.
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7. COMMONWEALTH KEYSTONE STATE OFFICE BUILDING
North Street at Commonwealth Ave. - northwest corner
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Headquarters to all statewide operations serving the labor and industrial needs of the Commonwealth. Sleek early 1950's high-rise features landmark glass stair towers and marble spandrel panels.
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8. LABOR AND INDUSTRY BUILDING
N. Seventh and Forster Streets
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Erected in 1893 as the original State Library and Museum and the oldest building in the Capitol Complex. Beaux Arts in architectural style and thoroughly restored in 1998 for additional legislative offices. Features grand entrance stair and scagliola finishes. Named for longest serving Speaker of the State House of Representatives.
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9. MATTHEW RYAN LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING
Southwardly adjacent to the State Capitol Building
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Mate to the South Office building in design and placement and completed in 1928. Elaborate entranceways and foyers adorned with sconces and medallions. Home to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
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10. NORTH OFFICE BUILDING
North Street at Commonwealth Ave. - southwest corner
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Headquarters to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Grand entrance at Capitol Street with statues of eagles designed to face an expanded Capitol Complex, which never came to pass. Neighborhood conservation shifted state government expansion to the Central Business District.
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11. NORTHWEST STATE OFFICE BUILDING
Forster and Capitol Streets
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Formal tree-lined mall, all of Red Oak, linking the vista of the Main Capitol Building to Fisher Plaza and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge beyond. Defines the symmetry of the original Capitol Complex. Inspiring setting site of numerous events and activities.
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12. SOLDIERS GROVE
Between Commonwealth Ave. and Fisher Plaza
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Completed in 1930 as the principal entrance to Center City and the State Capitol Complex from the east, terminating at Fisher Plaza. Honors soldiers and sailors of all American Wars. Towering pylons at western end dramatizes the bridge's gateway importance. Adorned with various inscriptions and crafted scenes in relief.
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13. SOLDIERS AND SAILOR'S MEMORIAL BRIDGE* N. 7th and State Streets (also known as the State Street Bridge)
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First separate building to be erected in the original Capitol Complex of the 20th Century which would ultimately evolve into a grand neoclassical and symmetrically organized collection of stately buildings. Completed in 1921.
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14. SOUTH OFFICE BUILDING
Southside of State Capitol Building, East Wing
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Completed in 1964 as the Commonwealth's official and principal depository of records, artifacts and wide variety of treasures illustrating Pennsylvania's rich heritage. Architecturally inspired by the Trylon and Perisphere icons of the 1939 New York Worlds Fair.
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15. STATE MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE ARCHIVES
N. Third and North Streets
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Newest addition to the Capitol Complex completed in 2009. Home to Pennsylvanias Unified Judicial System including the Commonwealth Court. Neo-classical design maintains the Complexs traditional architectural character.
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16. Pennsylvania Judicial Center
Northeast corner Commonwealth Ave.& North Street.
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* Individually Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
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