Vermont State House
In the middle of Monteplier, the smallest state capital (by population) in the United States. Plaque text:
State House
Montpelier became the capital in 1808, when the first State House was built. Ammi B. Young's 2nd State House, built in 1838 and destroyed by fire in 1857, was similar to this 3rd structure on the site, completed in 1859.
(I am always a sucker for details mentioned but not explained in plaques. For instance, here someone who has gone out of the way to mention Ammi B. Young, who designed the previous version of the State House, but not this one, which is "similar." Why?
The National Park Service has a pretty good short writeup on what was lost in the 1857 fire the plaque mentions and who handled the re-design and rebuilding. The architect for that job was Thomas Silloway. A little digging discloses that Silloway apprenticed with Young, a well-established Boston architect best known for the Customs House there.
The plaque uses the term "similar" rather loosely in describing the resemblance of Young's design and Silloway's; the latter departed significantly from the original. For comparison, see the Young's State House here.
The main differences: the dramatic new high dome -- the U.S. Capitol was about to undergo a similar transformation -- and the additions of the wings. Silloway did preserve the portico intact, though.)
Submitted by: Dan Brekke
Photo: Eamon Banta