New Mexico State Capitol
Encyclopedia
The New Mexico State Capitol, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico
, is the house of government of the U.S. state
of New Mexico
. It is the only round state capitol in the United States
, and is known informally as "the Roundhouse".
The building was designed to resemble the Zia Sun Symbol when viewed from above, with four entrance wings that protrude from the main cylindrical volume. Architecturally, the Capitol is a blend of New Mexico Territorial Revival style and neoclassical
influences. Above each entrance is a stone carving of the State Seal of New Mexico. The building has four levels, one of which is below ground.
Dedicated on December 8, 1966, the building was designed by W.C. Kruger and constructed by Robert E. McKee. Its extensive marble-work was installed by the New Mexico Marble and Tile Company. The capitol contains 232,346 square feet (22,000 m²) and was built for the cost of $4,676,860, or $20 per square foot ($215/m²).
The capitol houses the New Mexico State Legislature. The first floor (below ground) contains the semicircular House
and Senate
chambers, which are not accessible to the public. The second story, which is the ground floor, includes galleries where visitors can view the House and Senate chambers. The House gallery seats 281 people and is located on the south side of the building. The Senate gallery, which seats 206 people, is on the north side of the building. The two upper floors are mainly offices, with legislative committee offices on the third floor and the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and legislative Council Service on the fourth floor.
The Rotunda in the center of the building is 49 feet (14.9 m) in diameter and 60 feet (18.3 m) high, spanning the second, third, and fourth floors. The Rotunda is finished with Travertine
marble native to New Mexico and inlaid with a turquoise
and brass
mosaic
of the Great Seal of New Mexico. The ceiling skylight is designed to resemble an Indian basket weave, with blue and pale pink stained glass
representing the sky and the earth, respectively. The flags of New Mexico’s 33 counties are on permanent display on the fourth floor balcony.
Surrounding the capitol is a lush 6.5 acre (26,000 m²) garden boasting more than 100 varieties of plants, including roses, plums, almonds, nectarines, Russian olive trees, and sequoias. Statues of native Pueblo
peoples carrying pottery and hunting dot the property.
A renovation in 1992 included expansion of the committee rooms, asbestos abatement
, mechanical and electrical improvements and greater accessibility for handicapped people. The building was rededicated on December 4, 1992.
and Florida
, completed in 1969 and 1978, respectively, are newer) but also the oldest, the Palace of the Governors
.
Built in 1610 by the Spanish
, the Palace of the Governors is located on the Santa Fe Plaza. It was the house of government in Santa Fe for nearly three centuries, during periods of Spanish and Mexican rule. When New Mexico was annexed by the United States in 1846, it became the first territorial capitol and was used as such for forty years. Now a museum, the Palace is the only capitol in the U.S. that has housed the governments of three different nations.
In anticipation of New Mexico's statehood, work began on a new capitol building in1850. However, the funding for its construction was quickly exhausted, and in 1855 work on the project was halted with only the first story of the building completed. It remained in this state until 1886, when the second story and roof were finally finished. However, by this time a new territorial capitol was already being constructed, so the old building was never officially used as the capitol. (It did temporarily house the territorial government between 1892 and 1900.) Instead, it became the Territorial (later Federal) Courthouse. This building still stands in its original form.
In 1886, a new building replaced the antiquated Palace of the Governors as the territorial capitol. Four stories high, the monumental building was topped by colossal bronze statues representing Liberty, Justice, Commerce and Industry. Many New Mexicans, particularly Santa Feans, disliked the new building. Its Victorian style seemed audacious and it cost six times more than predicted. Six years after its opening, on the night of May 12, 1892, a fire began and destroyed the structure. Investigation of the cause of the fire was inconclusive.
The next capitol building, designed by Isaac Rapp
, was not completed until 1900. In the meantime, the government was housed in the Territorial Court House, and the adjoining judicial offices. The new Capitol was, as demanded by much of the public after the last one's great price, completed at an exceptionally modest cost of just $140,000, and was a simple three story, silver-domed structure. In this building, at 1:35 P.M., January 6, 1912, President William Taft signed the proclamation admitting New Mexico as the 47th state of the Union. He then turned to the delegation and said, "Well, it is all over. I am glad to give you life. I hope you will be healthy."
During the next several decades, various additions were built adjacent to the capitol building. In 1950 a major project was begun to unify the architectural appearance of all the buildings in the government complex to the territorial style. The dome, which had often been criticized as not appropriate for the state, was removed and a 105 feet (32 m) tower was added at the north end of the building. The building is now known as the Bataan Memorial Building, and houses numerous offices of the State Government. The old capitol is almost entirely obscured by the later additions, but its third-story arched windows are still recognizable.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, is the house of government of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. It is the only round state capitol in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and is known informally as "the Roundhouse".
The building was designed to resemble the Zia Sun Symbol when viewed from above, with four entrance wings that protrude from the main cylindrical volume. Architecturally, the Capitol is a blend of New Mexico Territorial Revival style and neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
influences. Above each entrance is a stone carving of the State Seal of New Mexico. The building has four levels, one of which is below ground.
Dedicated on December 8, 1966, the building was designed by W.C. Kruger and constructed by Robert E. McKee. Its extensive marble-work was installed by the New Mexico Marble and Tile Company. The capitol contains 232,346 square feet (22,000 m²) and was built for the cost of $4,676,860, or $20 per square foot ($215/m²).
The capitol houses the New Mexico State Legislature. The first floor (below ground) contains the semicircular House
New Mexico House of Representatives
The New Mexico House of Representatives is the lower house of the New Mexico State Legislature.There are 70 members of the House. Each member represents roughly 25,980 residents of New Mexico.The Speaker of the House is Ben Luján .-Composition:...
and Senate
New Mexico Senate
The New Mexico Senate is the upper house of the New Mexico State Legislature. The Senate consists of 42 members, with each senator representing an equal amount of single-member constituent districts across the state. All senatorial districts are divided to contain a population on average of 43,300...
chambers, which are not accessible to the public. The second story, which is the ground floor, includes galleries where visitors can view the House and Senate chambers. The House gallery seats 281 people and is located on the south side of the building. The Senate gallery, which seats 206 people, is on the north side of the building. The two upper floors are mainly offices, with legislative committee offices on the third floor and the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and legislative Council Service on the fourth floor.
The Rotunda in the center of the building is 49 feet (14.9 m) in diameter and 60 feet (18.3 m) high, spanning the second, third, and fourth floors. The Rotunda is finished with Travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
marble native to New Mexico and inlaid with a turquoise
Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl648·4. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue...
and brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
of the Great Seal of New Mexico. The ceiling skylight is designed to resemble an Indian basket weave, with blue and pale pink stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
representing the sky and the earth, respectively. The flags of New Mexico’s 33 counties are on permanent display on the fourth floor balcony.
Surrounding the capitol is a lush 6.5 acre (26,000 m²) garden boasting more than 100 varieties of plants, including roses, plums, almonds, nectarines, Russian olive trees, and sequoias. Statues of native Pueblo
Pueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
peoples carrying pottery and hunting dot the property.
A renovation in 1992 included expansion of the committee rooms, asbestos abatement
Asbestos abatement
Many buildings contain asbestos, which was used in spray-applied flame retardant, thermal system insulation, and in a variety of other materials. Asbestos was sometimes "flocked" above false ceilings, inside technical ducts, and in many other small spaces where firefighters would have difficulty...
, mechanical and electrical improvements and greater accessibility for handicapped people. The building was rededicated on December 4, 1992.
Capitol Art Foundation
The Legislature created the Capitol Art Foundation in 1991, which has since become one of the building's most endearing features. The Foundation was created to assist in the acquisition of art for permanent, public exhibition in the State Capitol. The Collection features contemporary masterworks by artists who live and work in New Mexico. The Capitol Art collection is housed throughout the public areas of the building on all four floors. The Collection consists of a wide range of media, styles and traditions, including handcrafted furniture groupings. The mission of the Capitol Art Foundation is to collect, preserve, exhibit, interpret and promote appreciation of works of art that represent the history, cultures and art forms of the people of New Mexico.Previous capitol buildings
The Roundhouse is the fourth Capitol building of New Mexico. The state boasts not only the third-newest capitol in the U.S. (only those in HawaiiHawaii State Capitol
The Hawaii State Capitol is the official statehouse or capitol building of Hawaii in the United States. From its chambers, the executive and legislative branches perform the duties involved in governing the state...
and Florida
Florida State Capitol
The Florida State Capitol, in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, is the state capitol of the U.S. state of Florida. The building is an architecturally and historically significant building, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
, completed in 1969 and 1978, respectively, are newer) but also the oldest, the Palace of the Governors
Palace of the Governors
The Palace of the Governors is an adobe structure located on Palace Avenue on the Plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico between Palace Avenue and Washington Street. It is within the Santa Fe Historic District and it served as the seat of government for the State of New Mexico for centuries...
.
Palace of the Governors
Built in 1610 by the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the Palace of the Governors is located on the Santa Fe Plaza. It was the house of government in Santa Fe for nearly three centuries, during periods of Spanish and Mexican rule. When New Mexico was annexed by the United States in 1846, it became the first territorial capitol and was used as such for forty years. Now a museum, the Palace is the only capitol in the U.S. that has housed the governments of three different nations.
1850 Capitol (federal courthouse)
1886 Capitol
1900 Capitol (Bataan Memorial Building)
Isaac Rapp
Isaac Hamilton Rapp, notable American architect known as the " Creator of the Santa Fe style. "Rapp learned his trade working for his father, a sometime architect and building contractor in Carbondale, Illinois. He left in 1887 and by 1889 had moved to Trinidad, Colorado where he joined with C.W....
, was not completed until 1900. In the meantime, the government was housed in the Territorial Court House, and the adjoining judicial offices. The new Capitol was, as demanded by much of the public after the last one's great price, completed at an exceptionally modest cost of just $140,000, and was a simple three story, silver-domed structure. In this building, at 1:35 P.M., January 6, 1912, President William Taft signed the proclamation admitting New Mexico as the 47th state of the Union. He then turned to the delegation and said, "Well, it is all over. I am glad to give you life. I hope you will be healthy."
During the next several decades, various additions were built adjacent to the capitol building. In 1950 a major project was begun to unify the architectural appearance of all the buildings in the government complex to the territorial style. The dome, which had often been criticized as not appropriate for the state, was removed and a 105 feet (32 m) tower was added at the north end of the building. The building is now known as the Bataan Memorial Building, and houses numerous offices of the State Government. The old capitol is almost entirely obscured by the later additions, but its third-story arched windows are still recognizable.
External links
- Bataan Memorial Building at 35.683994°N 105.941537°W
- Federal Courthouse at 35.690912°N 105.937653°W