Analysis of Massachusetts State House Architecture and History

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of the Massachusetts State House, beginning with its construction in 1798 after the American Revolution. Located on Boston's Freedom Trail, the building is a symbol of revolution and self-governance, designed in a neo-Palladian style by Charles Bulfinch. The essay explores the State House's architectural details, including the influence of neoclassical styles, the use of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, and its golden dome. It highlights key features such as the Doric columns, Palladian windows, and the historical artifacts and artworks within. The essay references the building's history, renovations, and expansions, emphasizing its role as a museum reflecting Massachusetts' heritage and the significance of its artworks and statues. The provided references include sources such as Boston Discovery Guide and Khan Academy, supporting the analysis of the State House's historical and architectural importance.

Running Head: ART & ARCHITECTURE 1
Massachusetts State House Building
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Introduction

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Massachusetts State House was constructed after the American Revolution in 1798.
Located on the Boston's Freedom Trail, it is indeed a prominent location as it is a symbol of
revolution, freedom, and self-governance. The cornerstone of the State House was laid by Paul
Revere and Samuel Adams, who were famous revolutionary war heroes (Boston Discovery
Guide, 2018). They planned this neo-Palladium style building as a temple to democracy.
Massachusetts State House is perched on top of Boston's Beacon Hill and boasts of fine
architectural details and is filled with legendary art and cultural artifacts (Boston Discovery
Guide, 2018). There are museum-quality treasures within the State House. Massachusetts State
House is the oldest building on Beacon Hill. Although the State House has been renovated
several times and has expanded through the years, what remains untouched is the famous
Bulfinch Front (Boston Discovery Guide, 2018). The State House organizes various free tours,
and one can take those free tours inside to see the State House's treasures and eland about the
history, traditions and political rivalries of Massachusetts.The Massachusetts State House is
where the government works, and it is indeed an imposing building. Although the entry is free to
the building, one has to pass through security and some areas are not accessible to the public.
The architecture and artworks of the State House are simply magnificent. As you enter the State
House, there are vast open interiors with rotundas and grand staircases. There are pamphlets at
the information center that explain the importance of the different rooms and monuments.
Charles Bulfinch was only in his twenties when he designed the Massachusetts State
House and just after his Europe tour. His work shows the influence of the Neo-Classical style
which was popular in Europe then (Boston Discovery Guide, 2018). The three major classical
orders that describe the Greek later Roman decorations are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian (Khan
Academy, 2018). Those classical styles continue to be used in architecture today. The late

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eighteenth-century British architecture did have widespread usage and with variants. The
castings in this artificial stone and engraved illustrations were common architectural practices
(Marks, n.d.). One can see the neoclassical influences behind the architecture that is inspired by
the Greek and Roman temples of Europe. It was the federal-style civic architecture that inspired
Bulfinch while he was in London. The dome rests on the on segmental arches and looks like a
poetic work.
The Massachusetts State House carries several examples of classical architectural
elements. One can see it in the twelve Corinthian columns, the large gold dome, and seven
arches. As one steps into the building, one can get the feel of the classical architecture with Doric
columns at the front door. Bullfinch used those architectural elements to convey the power and
wealth of the state of Massachusetts.The Doric order is the simplest and is evident in the
Massachusetts State House where the horizontal line is supported by the vertical posts. The
primary design elements in the Massachusetts State House are the Doric columns, the arched
Palladian windows and doorways and the symmetry (Boston Discovery Guide, 2018). One can
see the vast golden dome and white Doric columns from afar. The golden dome is the most
recognizable feature Earlier; the dome was made of wooden shingles which were later copper-
plated and then gilded in 23 karat gold (William Francis Galvin, 2018). A gilt pine cone perches
at the top of the dome, and it stands as a symbol for the forests and early settlers. Three are
statues placed on the grounds like the statue of Anne Hutchinson, Mary Dyer, Daniel Webster,
and Horace Mann and the Civil War General Joseph. A more recent addition is the statue of
President John F. Kennedy (William Francis Galvin, 2018).

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Massachusetts State House has become an outstanding museum today, that reflects the
history of Massachusetts. One can take a look at the portraits of Massachusetts governors and
murals that depict the unique heritage of the state (William Francis Galvin, 2018). The paintings,
statues, and artworks look classic and elegant amidst the spacious rooms and halls with marble-
floored corridors. During further modifications and expansions of the State House four fireproof
rooms, north portico, and east and west wings plus the north portico to add more space (William
Francis Galvin, 2018). Visiting the Massachusetts State House was indeed worth a visit. One not
only enjoys exploring the beautiful interiors but cannot help marvel at the state's unique heritage
and history. It is indeed an excellent example of Federal architecture and one of the finest works
from Bulfinch.

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References
Boston Discovery Guide. (2018). Massachusetts State House, Boston Discovery Guide Retrieved
from https://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/massachusetts-state-house.html
Khan Academy. (2018). The classical orders, khan academy Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/
greece-etruria-rome/v/the-classical-orders
Marks, A. S. (n.d.). The Attic Order and English Neoclassical architecture. Transactions of the
American Philosophical Society, 1(1), 17–31.
William Francis Galvin. (2018). A Tour of the Massachusetts State House, Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Retrieved from
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/trs/trsbok/trstour.htm