You'll find no shortage of beautiful, historic homes in Augusta, Maine, but few can compare to the splendor of the Maine State House. Our state house was completed in 1832 and remains one of our city's crowning attractions. When you're in town looking forAugusta homes for sale, it's well worth a visit.

Maine State House - A Piece of Local History

Way back in the day, Maine was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, until it voted to become its state in 1820. Augusta became the state capital in 1831, and the Maine State House was completed just one year later, built with Maine granite and opened for the first session of the State Legislature on January 4, 1832.

Though it's undergone a few additions and remodels throughout the years, the Maine State House remains a living piece of Maine history. The iconic copper dome was added in 1909, and the building's outward appearance has gone mostly unchanged in the decades since.

The dome was replaced in 2014, a change that– while essential to the health of the building – caused a minor uproar among those who didn't want to see the departure of the old green and weathered dome. Today, the dome's new copper sheen resembles what the building would have looked like about a hundred years ago, and it will likely take 30 years or so for the copper to oxidize back to its classic green hue.

Visiting the Maine State House

TripAdvisor ranks the Maine State House as one of the top things to do in Augusta, Maine– and for a good reason. A marvel of architecture with a rich history, it remains one of the city's most visited sites nearly 200 years after its completion.

All citizens and visitors to the State of Maineare welcome to tour the State House.Tours and field trips are scheduled through the Maine State Museum and are always free of charge. Walk-in visitors are also welcome, with tours running hourly between 9 AM and noon.The State House is open to the public year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Be sure to stop at the kiosk upon arrival to sign the guestbook and pick up your free State of Maine stamp and postcard!

The Maine State House is also a building worth returning to time and time again. During theceremony commemorating the building's 160th anniversary in 1989, a stainless steel time capsule was buried near the front wall of the State House, not to be opened until 2029. Only time will tell what is inside.

Contact our Augusta officetoday to learn more about finding your dream home in Augusta, Maine.Our Augusta real estate agentshave years of experience in the local real estate market. Our goal is making sure you find the perfect house for you and your family.