Harrisburg, PA

Wednesday was a busy day.  We started the morning with a few friendly pickleball games with new friends (and fellow Escapees) Ken and Bonnie Hosler.  Then we drove to Harrisburg for a visit to the National Civil War Museum.  Unfortunately the lighting and glass within the museum prevented Duane from taking any good pictures.  The displays and information were awesome and very well done.  There were two floors of information depicted by various methods.  One of my favorites were video reenactments of 5 or 6 people.  Three were brothers from Kentucky.  One was a graduate of West Point and an officer in the Union Army.  One opted to join the cavalry of the Confederacy.  One was a conscientious objector and went west to avoid the draft.  There was also a northern farmer, a southern plantation owners wife and a southern belle married to a rich New Yorker.  We are introduced to each of these characters at the beginning of the exhibits and learn their various fates at various stages of the war.  There were also life-sized dioramas--one was a slave auction, one was a field hospital, one was an infantry camp--where recorded conversations revealed the action.  There were large displays of weapons, clothing, and other artifacts.  This is one of the best museums we have visited and we recommend it to everyone.  This is not affiliated with the National Park system so our passes weren't good here.  The senior rate was $9 each.

This sculpture is located in the middle of the circular area in front of the building.  It depicts a Confederate soldier who could no longer resist the (defeated) Union soldiers cries for water.  Soon many other of his fellows followed his example.

Our other tour on Wed. was a freebie.  This is the capital building complex in Harrisburg.  Of the 35 exhibits listed for the entire complex we visited 8.  (The exhibits included things such as certain trees, statues, architectural details, and whole buildings.)  This is the Capital east wing, the building we toured.  On the left is the Senate chambers on the second floor, on the right is the House.  This building is richly ornamented in the classic style and adapted from the architecture of the Italian Renaissance.  The five-story exterior is of Vermont granite and the roof is green-glazed tile.  It measures 520 feet wide and covers 2 acres.  

This 14'6" gilded bronze statue is holding a garlanded mace in her left hand upholding the standard of statehood.  Her right hand is extended in benediction.  The dome itself is inspired by the Cathedral of St. Peter's in Rome.  It is 272' high and weighs 52 million pounds.

On either side of the main entrance (above) are two sculptures.  One is Love and Labor/The Unbroken Law.  This one is The Burden of Life/The Broken Law.  Just inside the center archway (first pic) are two bronze doors.  Each weighs one ton.  Depicted on them are the heads of politicians and contractors responsible for the Capitol's construction.  

This is the inner dome above the main lobby.  All of the gold throughout this building is 23 carat gold leaf.

Supreme court room.  This is located at the back of the building third floor between the Senate and House ells.  The dome below is above this room.  Yes, the four light posts are gold leaf.

Senate chambers seen from third floor gallery.  All of the murals are hand painted.  You can just see the circular stained glass windows just below the ceiling.  They are visible in the first pic also.

Gold leaf on the House ceiling.

After our very informative and interesting hour tour, we exited the way we came in.  This is the view from the door.  Our next destination is the building just beyond the spire on the right.

St. Patrick's Cathedral is also built in the Italian Renaissance style with the classical dome.  This dome is situated above the nave.

Interior of the nave

These hand forged door handles are on the Methodist church (owner of the spire)  Duane is always on the lookout for hand forged artwork.

More touring next time.

Louise and Duane