The Minnesota State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of Minnesota, in its capital city of Saint Paul. It houses the Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House of Representatives, the office of the Attorney General and the office of the Governor. The building also includes a chamber for the Minnesota Supreme Court, although court activities usually take place in the neighboring Minnesota Judicial Center.
There have been three State Capitol buildings. The present building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1905. Its Beaux-Arts/American Renaissance design was influenced by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and by McKim, Mead & White's Rhode Island State House. From 2013 to 2017 the building underwent an extensive restoration. This included replacing existing infrastructure; adding new mechanical systems; replacing or repairing tens of thousands of pieces of marble on the exterior; cleaning historic paintings, murals, and sculptures; and adding safety and accessibility features.
The building is set in a landscaped campus with the Capitol Mall on its south front, Leif Erikson Park on its west, and Judicial Plaza to its east. Various monuments and memorials are located in these green spaces.
1881Mar, 1
The first Minnesota State Capitol burns down due to a fire.
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Events on 1881
- 1Jan
Panama Canal
Ferdinand de Lesseps begins French construction of the Panama Canal. - 16Apr
Bat Masterson
In Dodge City, Kansas, Bat Masterson fights his last gun battle. - 12May
French protectorate of Tunisia
In North Africa, Tunisia becomes a French protectorate. - 21May
Clara Barton
The American Red Cross is established by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. - 19Nov
Meteorite fall
A meteorite lands near the village of Grossliebenthal, southwest of Odessa, Ukraine.