Massachusetts State House

Also known as "The State House", this "new" State House was built in 1798. It is located across from the Boston Common on the top of Beacon Hill. The land was once owned by Massachusetts first elected governor, John Hancock. Charles Bullfinch, the leading architect of the day, designed the building. The dome, originally made out of wood shingles, is now sheathed in copper and covered by 23 karat gold. In the House of Representatives chambers hangs a wooden codfish that signifies the importance of the fishing industry to the Commonwealth.