Gilded Day in Harrisburg: Exploring the Pennsylvania State Capitol

March 11–12, 2023

Where the Light Lives

Inside the Pennsylvania House Chamber — a stunning blend of power and beauty.

A Capitol Full of Stories

On a cloudy but beautiful day in Harrisburg, we found ourselves stepping into one of the most stunning hidden gems in Pennsylvania—the State Capitol. We didn’t come for politics or a protest—we came for beauty, history, and a little adventure together.

From the moment we walked up the grand steps, we could tell this wasn’t just any government building. Every inch seemed to echo with stories—from the marble statues outside to the stained glass and towering murals inside. And yeah… we may have gotten a little caught up in the romance of it all.

This post is our way of capturing what we saw, felt, and loved during our visit. Whether you’re a fellow history buff, a fan of architecture, or just someone looking for a cool stop on a Pennsylvania day trip, we hope you enjoy the highlights of our Capitol adventure.

The Grounds & Exterior Beauty

Capitol History

The Pennsylvania Capitol, completed in 1906, sits as a temple of democracy and art.

Before we even stepped inside the Capitol, the exterior gave us plenty to take in — a blend of stone, sculpture, and symbolism that set the tone for everything that would follow.

The Sentinel

General John F. Hartranft stands watch — a Civil War hero and Pennsylvania’s 17th governor.

Just off to the side of the main building stands the equestrian statue of General John Frederick Hartranft, a Civil War hero and Pennsylvania’s 17th governor. Cast in bronze and mounted on a red granite pedestal, Hartranft sits tall and composed, reins in hand. His leadership helped shape the state’s National Guard and modernize postwar Pennsylvania. Sculpted by Frederick William MacMonnies, the statue isn’t grandiose — it’s grounded. A tribute not to battlefield glory, but to service and steady strength.

Love and Labor

“Love and Labor: The Unbroken Law” carved into the Capitol’s face — ideals made stone..

Then, directly above the Capitol’s front entrance, we found a sculpture that felt both powerful and quietly spiritual — “Love and Labor: The Unbroken Law.”

Carved in glowing white marble by artist George Grey Barnard, this high-relief work features Pennsylvania personified as a calm, elevated female figure. She’s surrounded by allegorical companions: Justice, Labor, Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, and Education — the foundations of a just and thriving society. Below her stand the people: workers, mothers, children. Real lives. Real labor.

The title says everything: Love and Labor: The Unbroken Law. It’s not about dominance or wealth. It’s about the sacred rhythm of building something together — with heart and hard work.

Even before we crossed the threshold, the Capitol had already told us what it stood for.

The Rotunda: A Dome of Light and Meaning

The moment we stepped through the doors, it was like walking into a cathedral made for light. The Capitol’s rotunda is nothing short of breathtaking. Towering above us was a 272-foot high dome, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome — but somehow even more intimate.

Rotunda Moment

A quiet moment together beneath 272 feet of light and meaning.

Your eyes can’t help but drift upward. The stained glass dome lets in a soft, glowing light that dances across the gold and marble details below. Around the base of the dome, four massive medallions represent Art, Science, Law, and Religion, grounding the building’s design in both beauty and purpose.

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Directly beneath the dome sits the grand staircase — sweeping, symmetrical, and flanked by hand-carved balustrades. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you should be wearing something fancier... or giving a speech.

We paused in the center, just to take it all in. Dana looked around with that quiet smile she gets when something is truly beautiful, and I was too busy being in awe of her and the room to say much of anything. There’s something powerful about standing beneath a ceiling built to inspire.

Murals of History & Hope

Every wall in the Capitol seems to tell a story, and the murals are where those stories come to life. Walking through the halls felt like being inside a painted history book—except way more majestic.

The Spirit of Law

A towering mural depicting justice, purification, and enlightenment.

We found ourselves stopping every few steps to admire these massive, hand-painted works of art. Each mural was carefully chosen to reflect a piece of Pennsylvania’s legacy. One of our favorites was “The Spirit of Law”, a towering piece that shows a robed figure holding a torch of purification, surrounded by allegorical representations of Justice and Enlightenment. It was stunning—both in color and in meaning.

On another wall, George Washington knelt in prayer at Valley Forge. Across the way, Abraham Lincoln stood at Gettysburg, delivering the words that would echo through generations. These aren’t just historical moments—they’re ideals captured in brushstrokes.

Lincoln at Gettysburg

One of many murals honoring leaders whose words still echo.

The murals manage to be patriotic without being preachy. They remind you that behind every law written and every vote cast, there’s a deeper hope: that we’re all trying to build something better.

The Chandeliers & Stained Glass

If the murals tell the story, the chandeliers and stained glass are what make it feel like a living temple of democracy.

We looked up—and up again—only to find chandeliers the size of small planets hanging above us. These weren’t just light fixtures. They were sculptures in themselves, adorned with tiny golden figures, ornate glass, and flame-shaped bulbs that flickered like candles. The biggest one in the rotunda weighs over 4,000 pounds, and somehow it still floats like a dream.

Railroads

One of several stained glass medallions honoring Pennsylvania’s industry.

Then there were the stained glass medallions tucked into unexpected places. We spotted one labeled “RAILROADS,” another for “MINING,” and others honoring the industries that helped build Pennsylvania. Each one was framed like a jewel, catching light and casting colorful shadows across the stone.

What struck us most wasn’t just how beautiful it all was—it was how intentional it felt. Every detail, every design choice, was made to remind people that this place matters. That democracy deserves beauty. And that light should shine in the places where decisions are made.

The Capitol Floor: A Mosaic of Meaning

It’s easy to spend your entire visit looking up… until you look down.

The Turkey Tile

One of the Capitol’s many hidden mosaics — a numbered treasure beneath your feet.

The floors of the Capitol are covered in intricate mosaic tile work, and within those mosaics are tiny surprises waiting to be found. Animals. Insects. Symbols. Each one handcrafted and numbered, hidden in plain sight across the rotunda floor.

We found a turkey, a bat, a dragonfly, even a blacksmith at work—each one tucked into the pattern like a secret waiting to be discovered. There’s something playful and charming about it, like the artists were winking at future visitors from a century ago.

Blacksmith Tile

Labor immortalized in miniature.

For us, it became a bit of a game—spot the tile, call out the number, try to guess the meaning. We may or may not have crouched in the middle of the rotunda like excited kids on a scavenger hunt.

It reminded us that beauty and meaning aren’t always in the grand gestures—sometimes they’re right under your feet.

House & Senate Chambers: Where History Is Made

Tucked beyond the rotunda are the two chambers where Pennsylvania’s government does its work — and walking into them felt like stepping onto the set of a historical drama.

We visited the House Chamber first. It was grand and stately, lined with dark wood and topped with a ceiling that looked like a cathedral. Above the Speaker’s podium, intricate murals told stories of industry, commerce, and early American life. Even the chairs were velvet green — the kind of place where you sit up straighter without even thinking about it.

The Senate Chamber - Stars above and stories below — the Capitol’s upper chamber stuns with blue and gold.

Then we moved on to the Senate Chamber, and it may have been even more beautiful. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the blue ceiling was dotted with stars like a night sky. Every corner felt handcrafted — designed not just for politics, but for posterity.

We got to stand in the upstairs gallery, looking down on both chambers, trying to imagine what it’s like when the room is full and the debates begin. It felt heavy with history. But it also felt hopeful — like the room still believes something good can come out of it.

And maybe, with all that beauty around, it helps the people inside remember what they’re there to do

Sunday in the City: Broad Street Market & Downtown Wandering

The next morning, after a cozy breakfast at Meg and Duke’s, we had one more day to explore Harrisburg before heading home. It started slow and easy — the kind of morning you want to stretch out a little longer.

First, Duke took us out to see his old van — the one he converted into a camper back when he and Meg first started dating. Yep, he really was living the “van down by the river” life, and honestly? The older I get, the more that becomes a life goal. It was a fun, lighthearted start to the day — full of laughter and storytelling.

Van Life, River Style - Duke’s old van — the riverside bachelor pad that started it all.

From there, we drove along the Susquehanna River, where we caught a view of one of Harrisburg’s quirkiest landmarks: the miniature Statue of Liberty perched on a pier in the middle of the water. You can see it clearly from Route 322, standing proudly in a spot you’d never expect. It’s strange and charming and kind of perfect.

Susquehanna’s Secret Liberty

A charming curiosity: a miniature Statue of Liberty stands on an old bridge pier in the middle of the Susquehanna River — a beloved local mystery and roadside surprise visible from Route 322.

After that, we made our way downtown. Our first stop was the Broad Street Market, one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the country. Inside, the air was filled with the smells of fresh-baked bread, smoked meats, spices, and strong coffee. We wandered through the stalls, grabbed a casual lunch, and soaked in the laid-back local vibe.

Broad Street Market - One of the oldest farmers markets in the country — full of flavor and charm.

Next, we popped into a bookstore tucked along one of the side streets — the kind of place with handwritten signs and creaky wooden floors. Dana’s face lights up when she’s surrounded by books, and I always find something interesting when she slows me down like that.

We finished the afternoon at a cozy coffee shop, sipping warm drinks and people-watching through the window. It was peaceful and low-key, the kind of Sunday that fills your tank more than any to-do list ever could.

By the time we left for home, we felt full in every way that matters.