Table Of Contents
978.6
H6SH
A Short History & Self-Guided Tour of
MONTANA'S CAPITOL BUILDING
apublication oftlieMontana HistoricalSociety
Office of the Governor
3 0864 1006 2737 4
State of Montana
GMoavrecrnRoarcicot r«J^MBSwS^BSMi'V°j/I HSetlaetnea.CaMpointtoalna59620-osoi
Welcome to the Montana State Capitol. I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I
appreciateworking in thiswonderful building.
The Montana State Capitol has served as the centerofstate governmentforthe people
ofMontana for nearly 100 years. While many changes occurred during those years, the
building remains a symbol of our state's rich heritage. The classic appearance of the
Capitol, combined with murals depicting the places and people of Montana make this a
placewith special meaningforall visitors.
While the Capitol is a monument with historic importance, it also continues to serve its
original purpose as the center of Montana government. This building belongs to and
serves the citizens of Montana and we are delighted to open its doors to all whowish to
join us in the process ofgoverning the Treasure State and those who wish to enjoy this
partofourheritage. Accessto all, careforthe public's safety and security, and provision
ofan efficientworking environment are ourconcerns.
Asyoutravel through the Capitol you will note its restoration needs are many. We have
plans to repair deteriorating stonework on exterior walls and cracks in columns in the
rotunda, to restore decorative painting and plasterwork, and to replace historicfeatures
removed in past remodeling projects. While preserving the Capitol we also want to
incorporatenewtechnologythatwill help uscontrol itsenvironmentso historicfeatureswill
be protected and people can move andworkefficiently.
The Montana Capitol Restoration Commission isplanningforafull historicrestoration and
upgrade ofthe Capitol by it Centennial Anniversary in 2002. Meeting this goal will take
the financial support of many. Please join those who have already contributed to the
restoration project.
Enjoyyourvisitwith us here intheCapitol and where everyourtravel maytake you in the
Last Best Place.
Sincerely,
MARC RACICOT
Governor
TELEPHONE: (406) 444-3111 FaX (406) 444-5529
:
Introduction: A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONTANA and her CAPITOL
I2.000 B.C.-
Montanais hometo native peoples
805-1806-
1
Lev%is& ClarkExpeditioncrossesandrecrossesMontana
1841-
—
FirstMission St. Marv's
1862'
Goldstrikeat Bannack
1864.
MontanaTerritoryestablished
1876'
Battleofthe Little Bighorn
1883-
Northern PacificRailroadcompletedatGoldCreek
1889-
Montana Statehood
I89]'
Great Northern Railv\-avcompletedthroughMontana
1894
Helenachosen capital
1899
Capitolconstruction
1902
Capitoldedication
1910-
CongressestablishesGlacier National Park
1912
Wingsadded toCapitol
I9I6'
leannetteRankinelectedfirstwomanin U.S. Congress 1950
CivilWorksAdministration remodel
-1963-65
Massive remodeling/modernizingofCapitol
1995
Capitol renovationbegins
Situated against a backdrop of the hills of Helena, The mining camp of Last Chance Gulch was born
the Montana State Capitol commands a pan- with the discovery of placer gold by the "Four
oramic view of the Helena Vallev- Explorers Georgians" in 1864. The fledgling camp soon
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark called this changed to Helena. Surprisingly, the community
—
area "PricklyPesr Vsiiey"\\\\zr\ they traversed it did not die when the gold ran out because the
in 1805. A century ofexploration, trapping, merchants turned it into a banking and supply
prospecting, mining, settlement and development center. By 875 Helena had wrested the Montana
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occurred in what became Montana, before the Territorial capital from Virginia City.
construction ofa State Capitol was achieved.
When Montana joined the Union in 889, a battle stone-laying ceremony on independence Day,
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for the permanent state capital ensued. In 894 1899, Bell and Kent's "Greek Ionic" neoclassical
1
Helena (backed by Copper King William A. Clark) Capitol was constructed, faced in sandstone from
opposed Anaconda (supported by Copper King a Columbus, Montana, Quarry. The building was
Marcus Daly) for this honor. Helena's victory dedicated with much appreciative fanfare on |uly
assured it a state capitol building,yet the national 4, 1902.
Crash of 1893 initially delayed construction.
After its first decade, the Capitol was enlarged
Finally, optimism about the state's future led the ( 1 909- 1 9 1 2) to accommodate the growing
895 legislature to enact laws authorizing a $ executive, legislative and judicial branches of
1 I
million Capitol, its design to be chosen in a nation- government. East-and West-wing additions were
wide architectural competition. Cash prizes were designed by New York architect Frank M.
awarded and a design selected before funding Andrews in association with Montanans |ohn G.
problems were understood to be insurmountable. Link and Charles S. Haire. The much-debated
To make matters worse, scandal erupted when it selection ofstone for facing the wings reciuired a
was discovered that the Capitol commissioners special session of the legislature, which chose
themselves planned to defraud the state ofsubstan- lefferson County granite. A good match for the
tial portions of the building's cost. Investigations Columbus sandstone used in the original building,
were conducted in time to prevent the graft, replace the granite held the added advantage ofdurability.
the commissioners, and begin anew.
The State Capitol is a structure with several
The 1897 legislature then authorized a more historical dimensions. Interwoven with Montana's
modest statehouse. The completed, furnished development as a state, the building's origins
building, located on its do—nated parcel of land, cost recall people and practices from another age.
approximately $485.000 less than one-halfthe These turn-of-the-centuiy Montanans. conscious
price of the abandoned design. oftheir place in the progression oftime, chose
architecture and art that described a remote
In 1898 Charles Emien Bell and John Hackett Kent classical past as well as the passing era ofthe
ofCouncil Bluffs, Iowa, were selected as the Capitol frontier. Yet they focused optimistically on the
architects, on the future as well. Today the
condition that they Capitol is listed on the
would relocate to National Register of Historic
Helena to fulfill a Places and continues to be
legislative provision associated with events
reQuiring selection ofa significant to the citizens and
Montana architect. government of Montana.
Although denounced Now. afteryears of "modern-
by the state's resident ization." the Capitol is being
architects, the selection treated to sound mainte-
proved to be a fortu- nance. These changes will
nate one, resulting in a improve functioning and
handsome design that restore it to historical accuracy.
was promptly realized.
After a festive corner- Montana StateCapitol lanuary 1902
SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF THE MONTANA CAPITOL
MONTANASTATECAPITOL
SECOND FLOOR
=1(5)=
*HotueLobby
(Thirdfloor)
1«09ISiaEmI1 1BO0ISiaWealWln|
MONTANASTATECAPITOL
o FOURTHFLOOR
.
mimics marble), Tennessee marble wainscoting,
terrazzo tile floor, and a frescoed dome.
The Rotunda, Montana's best-dressed official Originally, a barrel-vault skylight over the grand
space, greets lawmakers and visitors alike with stairway heightened the Rotunda's elegan—ce, as did
French Renaissance styling, scagliola Ionic deep red walls and glass-block floor tiles all
columns (scagliola is a plaster techniQue that elements removed in the 960s. The four
I
decorative paintings above, completed
by F. Pedretti's Sons in 1 902, introduce
you to Montana's turn-of-the century
most storied contributors: theNative
American, the cowboy, the explorer/
trapper, and theprospector To the
right ofthe painting ofthe Native
American is Amedee louiiin's The
Driving ofthe Golden Spil<e. It
documents the completion ofthe
transcontinental Northern Pacific
Railroad i—n 1 883 at Gold Creek,
Montana an event almost as impor-
tant as statehood. Portrait busts (from
right to left) of nationally prominent
U.S. Senators Thomas Walsh, Joseph
J.
M. Dixon (who also servedasgovernor
for one term), and Burton K. Wheeler.
occupy niches in the corners of the Rotunda. and wall sconces. Find the state flower (bitterroot)
Opposite the main entrance, in the grand stair hall, design in the trefoil ceiling pattern, the state seal
is a statue ofjeannette Rankin, the first woman to on the door knobs, the portrait o^Joseph K.
be elected to the U.S. Congress. In 9 7 she Toole, Montana's first governor, above the north
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voted with 55 other representatives against U.S fireplace, the "hidden" door into the Governor's
involvement in World War and was the only office beside that fireplace, and the portrait of
I
member ofCongress to vote against U.S. involve- WilburFiskSanders, one of Montana's first U. S.
ment in World War II. Senators.
Proceed down the main hallwa}/ on_your left Return to the Rotunda. Ascend the grand
(to the east,) asyou face the grand stairway. stairway. Turn left and climb the nearby
The receptionist will directyou to the flight of stairs. Enter the door marked 411;
Governor's Reception Room, if it is not in or take one of the elevators on either side of
use. (2) the grand stairway to the 4th floor. Turn left
and enter the door marked 41 at the head
The Governor's Reception Room, part ofthe 1912 I
addition, hosts meetings, receptions, and press of the small stairway. (3) ^^^
conferences. It was designed as an English Tudor This chamber has enjoyed three lives. It originally
"period room" with oak paneling, fluted oak housed Montana's Senate for a decade. It was the
columns, ornamental-nonfunctional fireplaces State Supreme Court from 1912 to 1983. When
graced with Vermont marble mantel pieces, hand- the Supreme Court moved to the new |usticc
painted ceiling, and antiQue silver-plate chandeliers Building, this elegant space became a committee
and public-meeting room. The scagliola desk. Votes are registered electronically and
columns designed to resemble Italian marble, appear in lights on the large black board atyour
the mahogany furniture, the stained-glass eye level to the front of the chamber. The cham-
skvlight, and the paintings are original. From ber experienced the greatest change ofany public
left to right, the Pedretti murals represent Cates space during the 1 960"s renovation. It is "origi-
ofthe Mountains, Wagon Train UnderAttack nal" only above the gilt column capitals. Even the
byIndians. Approval ofMontana s Constitu- original skylight was replaced with electric light
tion, Lewis First View ofthe RockyMoun- fixtures.
'
tains, Signing ^; J^T!
1
the Enabling The Pedretti
Act, Buffalo murals here tell
Chase, and The more chapters of
Last ofthe Montana's early
A settlement:
Buffalo.
centrally placed starting at the left,
bronze plaQue Lewis andClark
honors Chief at Three Forks,
Dawson and
Justice
Theodore Chouteauat Old
Initially(he HouseofRepresentatives, this room became the Senate in 1912 i\hen the House
Brantly, who movedintothe newwestwing. Today's modernizedSenatebears little resemblance tothe Fort Benton, The
served on the odreisgkisnawlecrheamrbeeprl.aceTdhiensataIi9ne6d0-gslarsesmocedielliingn,g.chaWnadlelliceorv,erairncghsedangadllcearrypeotpewneirnegsr,epalnadcewdoionden Louisiana Pur-
court from 1994 topresenta more historicallyaccuratedecor. chase, Prospec-
1899 to 1922. tors at Nelson
Gulch, Fathers RavalliandDeSmet at St. Mary's
Exit through the door_you entered. Turn Mission, and Custer's Last Battle (This last mural
right and follow the hallway around two can be seen from the opposite side of the chamber
sides of the Rotunda and through a door asyou leave). The painting above the rostrum is a
into the gallery of the Senate. (4) copy of Charles M. Russell's When the Land
Belongedto God. The original is on exhibit at the
This space, originally the House chamber, has
Montana Historical Society, located across Roberts
served as the Senate Chamber since 1912. The
Street, east of the Capitol.
Senate consists of fifty senators, elected for
four-year terms. The President ofthe Senate Exit Senate Gallery through the door behind
occupies the chair at the head ofthe rostrum, the large vote board. Proceed down this
with legislative staff members seated in the half- hallway into the House Gallery. This door
circle immediately below. The seating at the may be locked when the House is not in
base ofthe rostrum accommodates pages, who session. If the door is locked, take the stairs
act as messengers for the senators. To summon or the elevator to the third floor. Turn left
a page, or to vote, the senators press the and enter the Lobby of the House of Repre-
appropriate button on the box located on each sentatives. (5)
.
The House Lobby is decorated wi—th six paintings by were looking for a northern pass by which, they had
Montana artist Edgar S. Paxson a contemporary been told, the Nez Perces crossed the mountains
of Charles M. Russell. In 1911 Paxson was com- in Idaho. The expedition leaders were anxious to
missioned to create murals depicting important reach the Pacific Ocean before winter snows
events in the history ofNative American-white impeded their travel. Clark describes the meeting
relations. He chose to illustrate (left to right) After with the Indians in his journal:
the Whiteman's Book, The BorderLand, Lewis
September 4th Wednesday 1805
andClarkat Three Forks. Lewis at Black Eagle
Falls, Pierre de la Verendrye, and TheSurrender ...prosuedourCourse down the Creekto the
ofChiefJoseph forksabout 5miles where we metapart[y]of
the Tushepau[Salish]nation, of33 Lodges
Through the glass doors of the Lobbyyou can bout 80men 400 Totalandatleast 500
see the House of Representatives. This cham-
horses, thosepeople rec[e]vedusfriendly,
ber occupies the west wing of the 1912 threw white robes overour Shoulders &
addition to the Capitol. Never significantly Smokedin thepipesofpeace, we Encamped
remodeled, the room features solid Vermont with them andfoundthem friendly. The Chief
marble columns and wainscoting, glass sky harangueduntilIlateatnight. Smokedin our
lights, and original oak furnishings. pipeandappearedSatisfied. Iwas the first
white man who everweron the watersofthis
The House of Representatives consists ofone
river.
hundred representatives, elected to two-year
terms. Because the Montana Legislature meets September5th Thursday 1805
every otheryear for a ninety-da}/ session, members weassembledthe chiefsandwarriersand
must be re-elected for each session in which they Spoke to them with much dificuel[t]yas what
serve. The Speaker of the House is the presiding weSaidhadtopass throughSeverallanguages
officer. He occupies the position at the head of the before itgot into theirs, which isaguglingkind
rostrum, with legislative staffat the next level oflanguageSpoken much thro the throught
below. Pages, who are seated encircling the [throat]in the Course ofthe dayIpurchase[d[
rostrum, are summoned by lights controlled at each 11 horsesandexchanged7forwhich wegave
desk. Those controls also connect to the electronic a flewarticles ofmerchandise, thosepeople
voting system, which registers each representative's possess elleganthorses.
vote on the boards at the front corners of the
chamber. Lewis and Clark can be seen on the far right hand
side ofthe painting, not in the center ofthe work
Charles M. Russell's painting, LewisandClark as might be expected. This composition empha-
Meeting Indians at Ross Hole, dominates the sizes that Lewis and Clark were merely traveling
'
chamber. The painting portrays a scene which took through a region dominated by the Native Ameri-
place on September 4, 805. when the Lewis and cans. Those who view the painting are meant to
1
Clark expedition met the Salish Indians in the Sula see this meeting from the perspective ofthe Salish
Basin area in southwestern Montana. The Captains Indians.
leuisandClarkMeetingIndiansatRoss'Hole, oil on canvas. 25' x I2'. painted byCharles M. Russell (1864-1926) in 1912. commissioned
byGovernor Edwin L. Norrisexpressly for the House ofRepresentatives.
Charles Russell was commissioned to create Other works by the "Cowboy Artist." Charles M.
this painting in I 9 II when the wings of the Russell, may be viewed in the Mackay Gallery at
Capitol were under construction. The huge the Montana Historical Society, located to the
canvas, nearly 25' x 12". was painted in his log northeast ofthe Capitol.
cabin studio in Great Falls. The canvas was so
Exit and take the stairs or elevator to the
large that the roof of his studio had to be
second floor. Proceed toyour right down
raised to paint the mural. This now-priceless
the "Gallery of Outstanding Montanans" to
painting is considered by modern critics to be
the Rotunda.
Russell's masterpiece.
Montana's Capitol, like most other government
Extensive conservation work was completed in buildings of the late 9th and early 20th centu-
I
the 1 960s and I 970s to protect, preserve, and ries, was designed consciously as a classically-
repair the mural. Originally the painting was based, ceremonial space. Architects and public
mounted in this location on an exterior wall. leaders reasoned that grand architecture, rooted
ConseQuently. it was subject to the extremes of in Greek designs, would emphasize our demo-
Montana environment. The high and low cratic form ofgovernment and demand the best
temperatures caused the wall to expand and behavior and intentions from those who served or
contract, resulting in paint loss to the mural. visited the building. The building design and
To minimize the problem a wall was added to artwork were the subject of intense consider-
—
the exterior ofthe building, in back of the ation so Montanans would join the best
painting. traditions of the United States and still honor their
distinctive heritage.
—
Transverse Section
Montana State Captiol
~
-Bell & KentArchitects
—Helena, Mont~
