Montana’s State Capitol: The People’s House

An imposing symbol, Montana’s capitol reflects the values and aspirations of the Treasure State’s founders. Its neoclassical design echoes the architecture of early Greece and Rome, while the murals and statues that embellish the building’s grand interior spaces commemorate important events and people in the state’s history. In honor of the Capitol’s centennial, the building’s history is described–starting with its predecessors in Virginia City and Bannack and tracing the move of the capital to Helena and the building’s construction one hundred years ago. A lively essay explains why the Capitol looks the way it does today and the significance of the building to Montana’s self-representation. The artwork of the Capitol is placed into the context of American art and provides an interpretation of the murals will enrich any visitor’s experience. Capitol’s statuary is discussed, giving readers the background they need to understand who these people were Montanans memorialized there in bronze and marble. Lavishly illustrated, this book provides a long overdue tribute to this crown jewel of Montana architecture and gives readers a fresh appreciation for this Temple of Democracy.