# Vermont State House

> The present State House in Montpelier was completed in 1859 to designs by Thomas Silloway, after a fire in January 1857 destroyed the second building.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/vermont-state-house/

The gold-domed capitol of Vermont stands against a wooded hillside in one of the smallest state capitals in the country. Step inside for the historic chambers, then walk the compact downtown for lunch and bookshops.

The present State House in Montpelier was completed in 1859 to designs by Thomas Silloway, after a fire in January 1857 destroyed the second building. Silloway kept the Doric portico and parts of the granite walls of its predecessor. The style is Greek Revival. The dome is crowned by a statue of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture; the original was carved in 1858 by the sculptor Larkin Goldsmith Mead, and the current figure is a replica from 2018. The dome was not gilded until the early 20th century.

The building is largely open to visitors; among the works on view are Julian Scott’s 1874 mural of the Battle of Cedar Creek and a portrait of Washington. Allow about an hour for the visit. Afterwards you can explore Montpelier’s compact downtown on foot. Park nearby and check in advance whether tours or sessions are taking place.

- **Nearest town:** Montpelier, VT
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 44.2622, -72.5806

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Vermont State House – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_State_House)

## Nearby

- [Smugglers' Notch](https://camping-spirit.com/places/smugglers-notch/) – 21 mi
- [Mount Philo State Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/mount-philo/) – 32 mi
- [Shelburne Museum](https://camping-spirit.com/places/shelburne-museum/) – 33 mi
- [Church Street Marketplace](https://camping-spirit.com/places/church-street-burlington/) – 35 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Vermont State House?

Vermont State House is in Montpelier, VT, at GPS 44.2622, -72.5806. It is about 15 mi from Stowe.

### Can you camp near Vermont State House?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Onion River Campground, about 9 mi away; within 25 mi there are 23 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Vermont State House?

Places worth a stop nearby: Smugglers' Notch (21 mi), Mount Philo State Park (32 mi), Shelburne Museum (33 mi) and Church Street Marketplace (35 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Vermont State House?

The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)