The capital of Maine is Augusta, a city on the Kennebec River that has held the role since 1832. The Maine State House, built from locally quarried Hallowell granite, sits on a hill overlooking the river and houses both the legislature and the governor’s executive offices. Augusta was chosen because it sat far enough inland to avoid coastal attack while still offering deep-water port access, which made it reachable for representatives traveling from every corner of the state.1Maine State Legislature. A Brief History of the Maine State House
How Augusta Became the Capital
Maine separated from Massachusetts and became a state on March 15, 1820. Portland served as the temporary capital, with the government working out of a modest two-story Federal-style building at the corner of Congress and Myrtle Streets.1Maine State Legislature. A Brief History of the Maine State House Debate over a permanent location started almost immediately. Inland legislators argued that Portland’s coastal position left much of the state underserved.
Augusta’s supporters had a strong case. The Kennebec River was a major transportation route connecting the interior to the coast, and Augusta sat centrally enough that representatives from northern and eastern counties could reach it without grueling multi-day trips. Governor Enoch Lincoln signed the bill designating Augusta as the official capital on February 24, 1827.1Maine State Legislature. A Brief History of the Maine State House Construction on the new State House began two years later, and the government completed its move by 1832.
The Maine State House
Charles Bulfinch designed the State House. He was one of the most prominent American architects of the early 1800s and also worked on the United States Capitol and the Massachusetts State House. A public buildings commission headed by Governor William King selected him for the project. Workers laid the cornerstone in 1829, and the building was completed three years later using granite quarried from nearby Hallowell.2Maine Secretary of State. Maine State House
The 1909–1910 Expansion
By the early twentieth century, the government had outgrown Bulfinch’s original design. Between 1909 and 1910, architect G. Henri Desmond oversaw a major expansion that rebuilt the building around its original core. The project doubled the structure’s length to 300 feet by adding north and south wings, and replaced the original cupola with the current dome, which rises 185 feet above the ground.3Maine State Museum. History of the Maine State House Desmond preserved the original front façade, so the building kept its Hallowell granite exterior despite the dramatic increase in size. The enlarged wings house the legislative chambers and executive offices.
The Lady of Wisdom
Topping the dome is a copper figure known as the Lady of Wisdom, sculpted by William Clark Noble. The statue stands 12 feet tall, with the tip of her torch reaching 15 feet, and is overlaid with gold.4Maine State Legislature. Lady of Wisdom – Maine State House She has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Augusta.
The Blaine House
Across the street from the State House sits the Blaine House, the official residence of Maine’s governor since 1920. The home was originally built between 1830 and 1833 by Captain James Hall. James G. Blaine purchased it in 1862. In 1919, Harriet Blaine Beale donated the property to the State of Maine in memory of her son, who was killed in action during World War I. The legislature accepted the gift, architect John Calvin Stevens remodeled the house for its new purpose, and Governor Carl E. Milliken became the first chief executive to live there in January 1920.5Blaine House. History – The Blaine House, Home of Maines Governors
The Blaine House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. It continues to serve as both a working residence and a venue for official state functions, with a Blaine House Commission of preservation experts and state officials overseeing upkeep and renovations.6Maine State Legislature. Maine Code Title 5 – Section 322 Blaine House Commission
Visiting the Capital
The State House is open to the public on weekdays. The west entrance facing the Cross Office Building is the main public entry point.7Maine State Legislature. Directions to the State House Capitol Police screen all visitors at entry, and food and drinks are not allowed inside.8Maine Department of Public Safety. Security Screening
The Maine State Museum offers free guided tours Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and noon. Walk-ins are welcome but not guaranteed a guide, so scheduling at least three working days ahead is worth doing. Tours are limited to 20 people, though school groups can bring up to five additional chaperones. Reservations go through 207-287-2301 or the Maine State Museum website.9Maine State Museum. Blaine House and State House
Watching the Legislature
When the legislature is in session, visitors can watch proceedings from designated galleries in both chambers. The 132nd Maine Legislature convened on January 7, 2026, with session dates scheduled through early April.10Maine State Legislature. 132nd Legislature Session Schedule Attending a committee hearing or floor debate is one of the most direct ways to see state policy get made.
To track legislation without visiting in person, the Legislative Information Office is a useful starting point. Located inside the State House, it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended hours during sessions and can be reached by phone at 800-301-3178. Its website offers bill status and bill text search tools that follow a piece of legislation from introduction through final vote.11Maine State Legislature. Legislative Information Office The office is nonpartisan, so staff will help regardless of which side of an issue you’re on.