The Hills Capitol Inferno

The Hills Capitol Inferno focuses on the destruction of Harrisburg’s first State Capitol building. On February 2, 1897, the Pennsylvania State Capitol was destroyed by a fire. A small fire that started in the Governor’s private room, quickly consumed the entire structure. Built between 1819 and 1822, the original State Capitol was designed by Stephen Hills, an English-born architect who left his architectural footprint in Pennsylvania and Missouri. Hills’ contributions to these states was significant, but his work on the Pennsylvania State Capitol is especially notable.

Stephen Hills designed the first Pennsylvania State Capitol in a Greek Revival style, characterized by a simplistic, classical look that drew inspiration from ancient Greek architecture. The Harrisburg Capitol stood for over 70 years and became a central hub for Pennsylvania's government. Hills' design reflected the young nation's aspirations toward democracy and classical ideals. However, it was ultimately destroyed by fire in 1897.

In Missouri, Hills was commissioned to design the second Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City as well as Academic Hall, the first main building for the University of Missouri. Like his work in Pennsylvania, both the Missouri Capitol and Academic Hall were designed in a neoclassical style. Unfortunately, much like Pennsylvania, these buildings were also destroyed by fires. Hills' architectural career, though marked by the loss of these three buildings, reflects his prominent role in shaping state buildings in the early 19th century.

The Hills Capitol Inferno exhibit recaps the events of that fateful day in 1897. The destruction of Hills' Pennsylvania State Capitol was a significant blow to state history, but it also paved the way for the construction of the current, grander State Capitol, designed by architect Joseph Miller Huston.

Photographs of the Stephen Hills Pennsylvania State Capitol building: Capitol Preservation Committee
Hills Capitol Senate Chair: Capitol Preservation Committee
Hills Capitol Settee: Capitol Preservation Committee
Photographs of the Stephen Hills Pennsylvania State Capitol building: Dauphin County Historical Society
Postcards of Harrisburg Fire Departments present during the 1897 Capitol fire
Pictures of Jefferson City, Missouri State Capitol building designed by Stephen Hills: Missouri Historical Society
Pictures of University of Missouri Academic Hall: University of Missouri Archives
Pictures of Senate Librarian Herman P. Miller: Library of the Senate of Pennsylvania
Stephen Hills Capitol Bell Clapper: State Museum of Pennsylvania

Goals

The viewer will be able to identify Members of the Pennsylvania Senate who actively served as well as were involved in major military conflicts throughout the history of our country.
The viewer will recognize that Members of the Pennsylvania Senate came to the legislature with their own unique perspectives, often based on their military service/careers.
The viewer will understand that Members of the Pennsylvania Senate have gone beyond the call of duty, as evidenced by their distinguished careers during their military service.
The viewer will be exposed to the major conflicts involving the United States of America, from the 1860s until the present day. (Specifically, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, and Global War on Terrorism).

Pennsylvania Academic Standards
(History, US History, and Civics and Government) met in whole or in part* by this exhibition

Note: *The text for this exhibition is written (with the exception of field-specific language) for the sixth grade level. For more information on Pennsylvania's Department of Education Standards, and more related standards, please visit PDE SAS.

PDE Standard: 5.1.6 Principles and Documents of Government

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of the various sources on display.

PDE Standard: 8.1.5.B: Classify and analyze fact and opinion from multiple points of view, and secondary sources as related to historical events.

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of the various points of view, secondary sources, and facts related to the historical events represented in this exhibition.

PDE Standard: 8.1.6. A: Explain continuity and change over time using sequential order and context of events.

PDE Standard: 8.2.5. B: Illustrate concepts and knowledge of historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition demonstrates this standard by using various, diverse sources to illustrate artifacts, objects, and documents critical to Pennsylvania history.

PDE Standard: 8.2.6.B: Describe the importance of significant historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: All of the printed materials on display throughout this exhibition memorialize Pennsylvania’s history.

Exhibition Team

Michael Gerdes, Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Senate
Alexandra Acri Barbush, Librarian of the Senate
Martavis Washington, Research & Exhibit Specialist
Emma Wylam, Intern, Senate Library
George Soule, Research Services Manager, Senate Library
Jess Rodic, Assistant Secretary of the Senate
Ashley Haldeman, Executive Assistant, Office of the Secretary of the Senate

Democratic Caucus Operations Staff

Kristin Markle, Graphics Designer/Illustrator
Shannon Yordy, Multimedia Designer/Illustrator
Ashlyn Williams, Multimedia Specialist

Republican Communications Staff

Gary Brunner, Director of Graphic Arts

Senate Print Shop/Digital Production

Chris Keller, Director
Caleb Gordon, Deputy Director
Leah LaPerle, Prepress Operator

Other Organization and Individuals

Legislative Data Processing Center
Jay Craig, Fixed Asset Inventory Control and Safety Coordinator, Office of Chief Clerk, Pennsylvania State Senate
Jason Wilson, Historian, Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee
Ken Frew, Research Librarian/Archivist, Dauphin County Historical Society
Kathy Hale, Government Documents Librarian, State Library of Pennsylvania
James W. Taljan, Accessions and Display Committee, Pennsylvania National Fire Museum Volunteer
Robert D. Hill, Military & Industrial History Curator, State Musuem of Pennsylvania
Katelyn Metz, Curator, State Museum of Pennsylvania

Current Exhibitions

Inspired. Uncovered. Honored.

Permanent Exhibition

The Hills Capitol Inferno

Past Exhibitions

More Resources

To schedule a tour of the Pennsylvania Capitol, please visit http://www.pacapitol.com/book-a-tour/

To take a self-guided tour of the Capitol, download the app: Apple or Android

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