Montpelier, VT
Capital of Vermont
Overview
Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont, located in the Northeast region of the United States. Founded in 1781, the city has grown to a population of approximately 8,074 residents within a state of 643,077 people. As the seat of Vermont's state government, Montpelier serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Vermont State House, a Greek Revival / Renaissance Revival structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1859. Designed by Thomas Silloway, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Montpelier has served as the capital of Vermont since 1805. Before Montpelier, the state's capital was located in Windsor.
Vermont State House
The Vermont State House in Montpelier is an elegant building constructed from local Barre granite, topped with a gold-leafed dome and a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. The building is the third statehouse on the site, as the first burned in 1857 and the second was demolished. Its intimate scale reflects Montpelier's status as the least populous state capital in the United States.
Greek Revival style with Renaissance dome
Notable Features
- Gold-leafed dome with statue of Ceres
- Built from locally quarried Barre granite
- Portico with Doric columns modeled after the Temple of Theseus
- Civil War battle flags in the main hall
- Intimate scale reflecting the smallest state capital by population
- Cedar Creek Room with historic Vermont artifacts
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★Montpelier is the least populous state capital in the United States, with a population of about 8,000.
- ★Montpelier is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald's restaurant.
- ★The gold dome is topped by a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, reflecting Vermont's farming heritage.
- ★Vermont was an independent republic from 1777 to 1791 before joining the Union as the 14th state.
- ★The Barre granite used in the building comes from one of the largest granite quarries in the world, located just a few miles away.
- ★Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States.