Role of Capitol in American History - Essay Example

Introduction: The American history is rich on many accounts when it comes to the historic buildings. Quite a few that are still actively held in highvalue are so on account of the American history the nation has undergone. Virginia State Capitol building is one of those important and historic ones that enjoy its significance and importance on the account of fact that it is valued by the Americans throughout the generations. The building is significant on the historic perspective as well as the political background to it that was in existence in those days. The early signs of creation of this building stretches back to as early as the 17th century A.D. it was precisely constructed in the year 1619 and was serving as the Virginia House of Burgesses and since then has been in place in its very own state reflecting its grandeur and poise in terms of the rich American political history that the country enjoys. The formal proceedings and handover of the building which led it to becoming the Capitol took place in 1788 (Spears, 2012, p. 86) under the then Governor Thomas Jefferson who would go on to become the President of United States of America. Through the different phases the building has seen numerous developments and improvements as the field of architecture and developmental works saw progress. Numbers of stories have been added to the building making it more accommodating and larger in its existence through timely modifications and additions. Underground constructions have been established which have enabled accommodating and adjusting more set of individuals and visitors in its parking areas and other surrounding localities. Defined as a model pattern based on the cubic architecture and structural design (Giordano, 2012,p. 130), it is considered novel on the account of political standing, the design so followed and the richness in terms of the architectural richness that it possesses within itself beholding the rich history spanning over more than two decades. Another significant existence of the building is the fact that it has been crafted through the ideas of the French professional craftsman who worked on it and designed it on the request and instructions of the then governor Thomas Jefferson. Owing to its importance in the context of the overall political and American civil life society, the place is a center of attention and a central hub towards the visitors from the various states within United States of America and to those who travel United States of America and have some level of affiliation and interest in the American Political and Social history as a nation as it has evolved through centuries. Based on this desire, there are specific visitors hours and days dedicated for the visitors who may visit the place to visualize the legacy of the many greats of American politics who have been to this building or were affiliated with it directly or indirectly. The building is still relevant and it is relevant on the account of fact that it has seen the American constitution making and the overall progress of American society evolving through different stages. While initially put in place, it was an era and century marked by turmoil within and civil strife within, it is witness to the bitter and bloody wars that the American nation has undergone. It is also relevant on the account of fact that Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the President of the United States of America and was the President in the times when major developments took place. He was the third President and at a time when the country was going through the uneven phases. It was that very era when the building was formally opened for the formal proceedings. Another account of significance that the building enjoys is the fact that it was declared as the capitol in the days when Virginia got its independence from the Great Britain. As a result and deductive analysis, it served as the symbol of freedom, and occupation liberation from the long ruling masters in the form of Great Britain. The future and later on progress and the independence of the other states of Untied States of America can be attributed to this particular Capitol and the efforts of Virginia which set the foundations for the other states rising in strength and demanding their own independent existence away from the Great Britain and its influence as a colony being ruled by them for centuries. Thomas Jefferson even quoted the building in his memoirs and his biography presents much talk of the capitol “Account of the Capitol in Virginia” he quotes this building and tells of the significance on account of the political spectrum and scenario that was in action in those days. The building is being still used in the manner and objective for which it was built and based on the legacy it beholds, it is termed as an epitome of freedom and free expression of the state and the people of the state based on what it witnessed and allowed for achieving in the late 18th century when the Virginians grouped together against Great Britain and got their independence. The history of the building is in total consonance to the original views and ideas that I had prior to knowing and investigating the history of the building. It is reflected in the same way as I assumed it to be. It is rather more interesting than I assumed it to be and equally more important in the context of the rich history it possesses and holds within itself. It gave me an insight of the overall history and how the American nation has undergone the phases of trouble and sacrifice marked by expert and leadership presence in the form of Thomas Jefferson who not only had an insight into the political activities, rather also had an eye for architecture and based on this, he asked for the services of a French craftsman who living up to his expectations delivered a very fine quality building that still stands high in pride and glory based on its history and present day grandeur. References: Giordano, R. G. (2012). The Architectural Ideology of Thomas Jefferson. McFarland Spears, K. M. (2012). Richmond Landmarks. Arcadia Publishing Read More