Oklahoma — Dome, Cupola, Statue (completed in 2002)

Dome
When the capitol was first occupied in 1917, it had been completed without a dome. Since the original plan included a dome, the necessary foundations to support one were there.

The new dome was under construction from April 2001 to November 2002. The dedication took place on November 16, 2002.

The Oklahoma capitol dome is made of architectural precast concrete and architectural cast stone on a steel superstructure.

images courtesy of
Jeffrey Alan Van Grevenhof

Statue
This American Indian was raised to the top of the new Oklahoma dome June 7, 2002. His name is "The Guardian." The sculptor has his lance piercing his legging and planted in the ground to symbolize he will never be moved from his duty to guard the land and people of Oklahoma.

The photo at right was taken while The Guardian was on display at ground level. The white strapping hanging by his legs is not part of the sculpture but was used to raise him.

image courtesy of Wingspread Recording Ltd. Co. Photo by
Russell Saunkeah

Rhode Island — Dome, Side Cupolas, Central Cupola, Statue

Dome
The Rhode Island capitol was the first building in the United States constructed with an all-marble dome. Like the majority of the building, it is made of white, Georgia marble. It is a large, self-supporting dome, 50 feet in diameter at its widest point, and there are only three larger in the world. These three domes, from largest to smallest, are on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Minnesota State Capitol, and the Taj Mahal in India.

 
 
image courtesy of
Trent Maynard

 
 
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Independent Man
A quote from the photographer of the dome and skylight images above, a present-day Roger Williams:

Webmaster's Comment
They certainly eliminated the pantaloons, jacket and hat problem, didn't they?

Skylights
Domes similar to those on both sides of this building can be found on several capitols. Below them in this capitol are skylights in the House and Senate Chambers. Another skylight is in the State Library.

Statue
The Independent Man on the capitol is gilded bronze and has been on the dome since 1899, except for when he was taken down for repair and regilding from August 9, 1975 to July 20, 1976. He wears a bear skin loincloth, holds a spear and has an anchor, the state symbol, at his side.

The Rhode Island Historical Society of 1895 wanted a statue of Roger Williams, founder of the State of Rhode Island and the City of Providence, on the capitol dome. A later decision was made to leave the choice of subject for the dome statue up to the architects.

One account shows the chief architect vetoed Roger Williams as the statue's subject because the sight from the street would be all pantaloons, jacket and hat, and they instead chose a figure depicting freedom and sovereignty. The statue's designer called him "Hope," which is the state motto, but the name that stuck some think was a reference to Roger Williams, "Independent Man."