Members of the Chestnut Hill Rotary, Sylvia Lanka Barone and Elliot Schwartz, organized a full-day tour to the PA State Capitol in Harrisburg, an architectural and artistic treasure. Members received a guided tour of The House Chamber, The Senate Chamber, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the Governor's Reception Room. During the tours, member met with PA Senator Art Haywood and PA State Representatives Christopher Rabb and Tarik Khan.
Members meeting with Representative Christopher Robb (r)
The Capitol was designed in the American Renaissance style by Philadelphia architect Joseph Huston, who envisioned the building as a "Palace of Art" Built and furnished at a cost of $18 million in 1906, the Capitol features paintings, stained glass and furnishings by some of the best artisans of the day. Of particular interest were the murals in the Supreme Court Chamber by artist Violet Oakley (1874-1961) of Philadelphia.
When President Theodore Roosevelt attended the dedication on October 4, 1906, he said "This is the handsomest building I ever saw."
Pictured, l -r, Representative Tarik Khan, Christopher Rabb, Tom Uzzell, Chris Spolsky, , Pamela Rich-Wheeler, Rebecca Anwar, Steven Erisoty, Barbara Wybar, Maggie Stoeffel, Denise Chapline, Sylvia Lanka Barone, Maxine Dornemann, Bill Barone, Carol Bates, Ellen Williams, Elliot Schwartz, Carol Kuter, Jay Pennie, aid to Senator, State Senator Art Haywood.
The Supreme Court Chamber houses 16 intricate paintings by Violet Oakley, a grouping she called ‘the opening of the Book of Law.” A close look at the ‘keynote’ painting “Devine Law,” above the center door reveals the words “love,” “law,” and “wisdom,” almost hidden in the elaborate work. The stain glassed dome was designed and executed by Pennsylvania native Alfred Godwin.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber with collection of paintings by artist Violet Oakley.
Members also received a private tour of the nearby Pennsylvania State Museum with a special behind-the-scenes tour of the artist Violet Oakley collection of paintings and drawings.
