10/05/2026
When Maine separated from Massachusetts in 1820, several communities competed to become the state capital, including Portland, Brunswick, Belfast, and Wiscasset. Portland served first, but lawmakers ultimately selected Augusta for its more central location.
The Maine State House cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1829. Designed by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch and built with Maine granite, the building was completed three years later, with the Legislature holding its first session there on January 4, 1832.
Remarkably, its original architectural drawings are the only surviving complete set for a Bulfinch-designed building.
The State House has changed considerably since then. A major 1909–1910 reconstruction doubled its length to 300 feet while preserving the original Bulfinch façade. The familiar dome, now rising 185 feet above the building, was added during that transformation.
Today, the Maine State House remains one of Augusta’s most recognizable landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Selected as one of the 250 Maine Icons of the Maine Atlas 250 project, it represents nearly two centuries of Maine history, architecture, and government. Discover the Maine State House on the Maine Atlas: https://www.maine.gov/sos/maineatlas/explore-the-atlas/maine-state-house
