How the United States Capitol Dome Became a Symbol of Democracy

One of the most famous landmarks of the United				was considered necessary. This was a most
States is the United States Capitol with the cupola				ambitious undertaking in the history of American
or dome that graces its roofline. The Capitol				architecture.
dome, with its pure white sandstone is radiant-a				The wooden dome was removed in the fall of
symbol of democracy and strength. A				1856. The new dome was three times the height
breathtaking site when illuminated at night it is a				of the original dome and built out of cast iron with
fitting finale for the building it crowns. Located on				columns, pilasters, scores of windows and
Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, it houses the Senate				crowned with a statue. A large painting of the
and House chambers of the legislative branch. It is				Apotheosis of Washington was painted on a shell
among the most symbolic and architecturally				and the canopy is suspended between the inner
impressive buildings of our Nation.				and outer dome and is visible through the oculus
The original cupola design began with a Capitol				at the top of the inner dome. Apotheosis is a
design contest operated by Thomas Jefferson				Greek word that means 'to raise to a god like
who was Secretary of State under President				stature.'
George Washington. The award $500.00 and a				Domes with their circular shape have been called
city lot to whomever produced the winning plan.				the perfect architectural shape, the circle being a
17 plans were submitted, none of which were				symbol of the universe. In religious architecture
approved. Then in the fall a letter arrived from a				domes proclaim the glory of God. The oculus or
Dr. William Thornton, requesting an opportunity to				eye of the dome is considered the gateway of
submit a plan which the Commissioners granted.				the Sun. From this gateway at the Top of the
The building was characterized by a Central dome				Dome rises the World Axis, the link between
(cupola).				heaven and earth.
The dome was to be placed over the rotunda				The Rotunda is a circular room located on the
and was a two dome structure. The interior				second floor of the Capitol above which the dome
dome rose 96 feet above the rotunda floor and				was to be placed. It is this room that has served
was built of stone; the exterior was a wooden				as the ceremonial Center of the United States
dome with a copper roof and rose 140 feet. The				Capitol and known as the symbolic and physical
Rotunda floor was illuminated from the oculus at				heart of the U.S. Capitol.
the top of the dome. Thomas Jefferson called it,				As the United States grew it is clear that state
"the first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of				governments saw the dome of the United States
the people."				Capitol building as the American architectural icon
As the United States grew and more states				of choice. Many states chose to emulate the
joined the Union the Capitol needed to be				structure to varying degrees in the construction
expanded. Extensions were built to the North and				of their own state capitols by incorporating a
South. With these additions, the original dome was				central dome or cupola in their designs.
not aesthetically pleasing. To achieve balance the				The dome has gained a dominant presence in
size of the cupola needed to be in proportion to				America's skylines, a symbol of democracy and
the length of unbroken roof line. The old cupola				of aspiration to enable all citizens to live lives of
was a fire hazard as it was made of timber				dignity and freedom.
frame. For these reasons, a new fireproof dome