Maine State House
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Maine State House
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Maine State House, designed by Charles Bulfinch, built 1829–1832
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| Location | State and Capitol Sts., Augusta, Maine |
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| Built | 1829-32 |
| Part of | Capitol Complex Historic District (#01001417) |
| NRHP Reference # | 73000266 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
| Designated CP | December 31, 2001 |
The Maine State House in Augusta, Maine is the state capitol of the State of Maine. The building was completed in 1832, one year after Augusta became the capital of Maine. Built using Maine granite, the State House was based on the design of the Massachusetts State House (Maine was formerly part of Massachusetts, and became a separate state in 1820).
Governor Paul LePage and the Maine Legislature convene at the State House.
When Maine separated from Massachusetts and became a state in 1820, a number of cities and towns sought the honor of becoming the state capital. The principal aspirants were Portland, Brunswick, Hallowell, Waterville, Belfast, Wiscasset, and Augusta. The first capital of Maine was Portland, but it moved to Augusta because of its more central location. The Legislature passed and Governor Enoch Lincoln signed the bill establishing Augusta as the capital in 1832.
After careful consideration of various sites on both sides of the river, the governor and the Commissions chose a 34 acres (140,000 m2) lot for the Maine State House and extending from the old Hallowell road to the Kennebec River. The building was designed by the renowned architect Charles Bulfinch of Boston, and in its original form resembles his Massachusetts State House.
About 150 feet (46 m) in length, including the central portion with columns and cupola and two wings extending north and south, the building's cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1829 amid impressive Masonic ceremonies. Construction was of granite from Hallowell quarries and took three years to complete. The cost of the building was originally estimated to be $80,000, but when completed, expenditures of the building, furnishings and grounds amounted to $139,000, of which $11,500 was contributed by the City of Augusta. The Maine Legislature held its first session in the new state Capitol on January 4, 1832.
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