Contemporary Uses: Pennsylvania State Capitol Pennsylvania has a wide variety of beautiful historic buildings that reflect many different architectural styles. They include historic homes, unique covered bridges, government buildings and breathtaking churches. Some of the most recognized examples of great Pennsylvania architecture are Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater" and the Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. However, the one building I think of when talking about great architecture is the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The Pennsylvania State Capitol building, located in Harrisburg, is a prime example that represents a variety of architectural elements and rich history. The interesting history of the Capitol building begins in 1810, when Harrisburg was named the new capital of Pennsylvania. ("CPC Home Page"). Since then, three buildings have sat on the Capitol in Harrisburg. Local architect, Stephen Hills, was chosen to design the first building. In 1819 Hills began construction of the structure. The building was completed in 1822 and cost a total of $135,000. The first Capitol building existed for seventy-five years, until a fire destroyed it in 1897 (“Capitol”). Soon after the fire, lawmakers decided to tear down the remains of the damaged structure and replace it with a larger, more elegant design. . Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb was selected to design and build the second capital. The government gave it a budget of only $550,000, which was nowhere near enough to reproduce the size and design that the legislature had envisioned. Due to limited funds, Cobb was unable to complete the planned project. The Legislature was left embarrassed and unimpressed… in the middle of a sheet of paper… that evokes pride in its citizens and will continue to be cherished by future generations. Finally, I believe the Pennsylvania State Capitol building embodies a unique balance between architecture and art. It is a place where Pennsylvania residents can visit and learn about the significance and history of our state. It makes me proud to know that such a beautiful piece of architecture is just a few minutes away. Works CitedCPC Home Page. Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee. Network. 9 June 2011. The Capitol. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Network. June 9, 2011. .United States National Park Service. Nomination for National Historic Landmark. 2006. Network. 10 June 2011. .