Unto you therefore which believe he is precious but unto them which be disobedient, THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS DISALLOWED, THE SAME IS MADE THE HEAD OF THE CORNER. I Peter 2:7 KJV
This posting was started as my “second” posting way back in December. But, other exciting life experiences jumped in my way. So, here it is February and I am finally getting back to it. In late October, we drove to Tulsa for a national convention. We did lots of side trips on the way and while we were supposed to be at the convention. We did spend some time at the convention, but also managed to see and do a lot of other things.
I am on a pilgrimage. I did not know that when I started it by accident way back in 1969 when I visited Iolani Palace in Honolulu. Originally, this venture was just something that I would like to do, but in the last couple of years, it went to the top of my bucket list. Apparently, I share a portion of the first female Supreme Court Justice's--Sandra Day O'Connor--life. When she was near retired, I read that one summer she went with her family to all the state capitol buildings west of the Mississippi. She gained a great deal of knowledge of government that summer. By the time I had read this, I had been to four or five. I then realized not only that they are free, but they also are among the greatest learning devices out there. Do you enjoy history? Biographies? Art? Architecture? All to be seen at ones local capitol building. FOR FREE!
Civics, state history, original paintings, stained glass, bronzes that are often bigger than life, regimental and other special flags--the list goes on--are all things that can be gleaned from any capitol building. I made a conscious decision that I wanted to see all fifty-one capitol buildings (this, of course, includes our National Capitol Building in Washington, DC) after visiting number eight. And maybe eventually, the capitol buildings in all our territories, as well.
Tours can be self-guided or with a guide at schedules intervals—most capitols one has the choice; others, you get one or the other.
And, if one wants a real bang for ones buck...most states have gift shops. Well, big deal, everyone wants to make some money. We have found that the same item that one might find in other attractions--as well as the state capitol building--is often as much as 40% higher in cost at the attraction (or conversely, 40% cheaper at the capitol gift shop). So, if you want a great bargain remembrance of a state, buy it in the capitol gift shop.
Around the same time, I discovered that there are not really fifty-one capitol buildings, there were many more. How can that be, you might ask. Well, many states have an "old" capitol (or in some cases it is called an "old" state house). These buildings are often a state museum now--some with permanent exhibits, some with revolving exhibits, some with a combination.
To bring us up to date, therefore, there are the "new" or current capitols (in several states still called "state house.") In many states, large office buildings now house many of both the legislature and executive governmental offices. The state high court and state library of most states--once housed in the capitol building--are now usually housed in building of their own.
In our Tulsa bound travels, we visited four capitols in three states. My stop in Oklahoma City brought the number to thirteen states. At least two of these states, I visited had only the "old" capitol. Guess Steve and I just have to go back to Hawaii to see the new building which was not used until after I had been there. The tour of the building will be a value, but I'm afraid the budget travel is going to be blown to pieces getting there.
#13--Oklahoma City. Thirteen has always been kind of a favorite number of mine. My grandmother was born on April 13. It was a Friday. And my great grandfather fought in the Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War.
But, I digress!!
What's unique about Oklahoma's capitol?
First of all, it is the only capitol in the world with working oil wells in its front yard. The capitol building, along with other state buildings, sit on a hundred acre plot of land. Active pumping oil wells are scattered here and there. One is called "Petunia #1" as it is surrounded by a petunia flower garden.
The second thing that I found unique was that the dome was added recently. Originally built in the early 1900's at a cost of approximately $1,000,000, the building was “domeless” until 2000 when the building of the $20,000,000 dome was begun. It was finished in 2002. It is, of course, beautiful. One can see the entire interior from the rotunda from each floor.
Oklahoma is proud of its art and artists. It has several galleries within its confines (permanent and revolving). The first one we found was on the ground floor. A quick walk through produced some views of some fine art. Steve is not much into art galleries, but I like to peruse them quickly.
There are many six foot by eight foot paintings depicting historic, agriculture and industrial events within its public corridors. Magnificent does not really define them.
There are photograph galleries that include governors and others of prominence. Oil painted portraits also abound.
There is a blue room which is the official room for governor’s receptions, etc. Naturally, it was primary blue, spacious, and a wonderful place for receptions, etc.
Many capitols have been or will be renovated. Many have gone back to “original” designs. Oklahoma was no different. It originally had Tiffany (style) stained glass ceilings in both chambers to allow natural light to filter into the room. They were covered up as some point in time. Now, they have been uncovered and missing glass replaced. In Oklahoma, the company that made the original ceiling is still in business. They were hired to restore the ceilings. These cannot adequately be described in words. Gorgeous, magnificent, beautiful…pick a word…none are strong enough.
We had driven from Tulsa (where our convention was happenin’) to Oklahoma City. We were there only a short time when six busses pulled up…all from our convention. Since I was sort of campaigning for my friend Marianne and still had a bunch of her buttons, I handed them out at the capitol building.
Cornerstones: I have been trying to find cornerstones of each capitol. Traditionally, they should be in the northeast corner. But, the cornerstone of this capitol is in the southeast corner. It is carved pink granite…very hard to read. But like so many of the cornerstones of capitols of “new” capitol buildings and those west of the Mississippi River, it was laid by the Grand Lodge of Masons of whatever state (Oklahoma, in this case). I did not start looking at cornerstones till well after my pilgrimage of capitol buildings had started. They are sometimes hard to find, but with lotttttttts of perseverance, one may be rewarded (or in some instances…NOT).
Any way, capitols are worth the time to visit.
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