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Friends of the Vermont State House

Conservation &
Restoration

The Friends is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, begun in 1980, to advocate for and help to fund the restoration and conservation of the building.

Interpretation & Education

Nearly 150,000 visitors from throughout the world and Vermont visit the state house each year. Docent-led and self-guided tours are available to visitors for free. Vermont Schoolchildren visit the state house during the legislative session to learn about the building and observe the Vermont state government legislate according to the democratic process.

Become a State House Tour Guide

Events & Cultural Enhancement

All of our activities are developed to cultivate public accessibility and awareness. We hold events, including symposiums and evening entertainment, that are in keeping with using the state house as an historic public venue and a place to learn and exchange ideas.

Tours & Education
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Events
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Initiatives
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What We Are About
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Some of our favorite things...

The State Curator's office and Friends of the Vermont State House began restoring the State House to its nineteenth century style in the 1980s. It has  been constantly evolving and contains many treasures. The State House is open to all and we encourage you to take a guided tour to see and hear about the important artifacts that make up Vermont's history as a state.

Vermont Fossil
When you visit be sure to look for fossils in the floor of the State House lobby.
Freedom and Unity Booklet
Freedom and Unity: A Graphic Guide to Civics and Democracy in Vermont (Click on image to download this booklet.)
Vermont Capitols Map
Naturalization ceremony at the Vermont State House on September 11, 2024
Naturalization ceremony in the Vermont State House Chamber September 11, 2024.

Vermont's State Capital

Over the course of Vermont's history, the capital has been located in 14 different towns. 

Montpelier was chosen to become the permanent state capital in 1805, after some strenuous debate, due to its central location.

When the time came to build a new capitol in 1831, the citizens of Montpelier pledged $15,000 to support its construction, preventing the state government from being transferred to any of the other five competing cities. When the second capitol burned down in 1857, there was considerable support for moving the capital to Burlington, but Montpelier carried the day.