We couldn’t have chosen a lovelier day to visit the Vermont State Capital, the 40th we’ve now seen. We were a bit tentative because our plans required us to bring our entire rig into Montpelier, which required finding two adjacent parking spaces free, along with enough space to get in and out of them. The city apparently doesn’t get really moving until about 10:30 because we had no trouble parking directly across from the Capital around 9:30AM.

Security was also minimal; we walked right in and eventually the Sergeant-at-Arms caught up with us on the second floor, mainly just to give a welcome. By this time, we’d had the opportunity to view one of the most unique rooms, a gallery that contained art commissioned by the state to commemorate the most significant Civil War Battles in which Vermont troops participated. The largest was a mural of The Battle of Cedar Creek painted by Julian Scott in 1974 which fills nearly one wall.

The Battle of Cedar Creek by Julian Scott

In another prominent hallway is found the painting of Howard Dean (Governor from 1991-2003), in a unusually casual pose (as most paintings of governors go) sitting in a canoe.

The legislative chambers both reflect the major restoration done in 1980 to bring back the glory of the original strongly Victorian decor of the late 1800’s. The chairs in the back of the Representatives Chamber are for the Senate when they have a joint session. Otherwise, the public is permitted to sit in them.

Representatives Chamber

Senate Chamber