Richmond - Virginia State Capitol

In Capitol Square in Richmond is the imposing State Capitol, built in 1785-8 to the design of Thomas Jefferson, who took as his model the Roman temple known as the Maison Carree in Nimes. The Capitol was the scene of major events in American history, including the ratification of Virginia's secession and Robert E. Lee's appointment as commander of the Southern army. The statue of George Washington in the lobby was the work of Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828).