Walking Through Time: 12 Fascinating Historical Sites in Pennsylvania's Capital

Approaching Pennsylvania's State Capitol Building feels like discovering a Renaissance palace transplanted to the American heartland. Completed in 1906 and designed by architect Joseph Miller Huston, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece stands as what Theodore Roosevelt once called 'the handsomest building I ever saw.' The 272-foot dome, inspired by Michelangelo's design for St. Peter's Basilica, creates an imposing silhouette against Harrisburg's modest skyline.

As an architect, I was particularly struck by the building's material palette—Vermont granite base, Boston granite columns, and the distinctive green-glazed terracotta roof tiles that have weathered beautifully over the century. The interior reveals even greater treasures: 23-karat gold leaf adorns surfaces throughout, Carrara marble staircases sweep dramatically upward, and Edwin Austin Abbey's murals illustrate Pennsylvania's history with remarkable artistic precision.

The guided tour (free, but reservations recommended) provides access to the Senate and House chambers, where the stained glass windows by William Brantley Van Ingen filter light in ways that transform the spaces throughout the day. I found myself sketching structural details in my waterproof notebook, particularly fascinated by how the building's classical proportions create such harmonious spaces despite its monumental scale.

Adjacent to the Capitol Complex stands The State Museum of Pennsylvania, whose modernist 1960s structure provides an architectural counterpoint to the Beaux-Arts grandeur nearby. While the building itself might not win beauty contests, its contents offer crucial context for understanding Pennsylvania's historical significance.

The museum's Civil War collection particularly impressed me, showcasing how the state's industrial capacity and strategic location shaped the conflict. The Planetarium (additional $3 fee) offers excellent educational programming for families—I caught a fascinating show about how Indigenous peoples used celestial navigation, which resonated with my interest in observatories.

What surprised me most was the extensive collection of architectural artifacts from demolished historic buildings throughout Pennsylvania. These salvaged elements—from ornate Victorian corbels to Art Deco elevator doors—represent a physical archive of architectural styles that have disappeared from the landscape. For families visiting with children, the museum provides interactive sketchbooks that encourage young visitors to observe and document architectural details throughout their visit—a brilliant way to keep children engaged while developing their visual literacy.

After the intensity of museum exploration, Harrisburg's Riverfront Park offers both architectural interest and natural respite. The 4.5-mile esplanade along the Susquehanna River provides stunning views of the city skyline and the historic stone bridges that span this mighty waterway.

The Market Street Bridge (officially the People's Bridge) dates to 1817, though the current stone arch structure was completed in 1905. Its graceful profile demonstrates how infrastructure can transcend mere utility to become civic art. During my visit, I spent a contemplative hour sketching its distinctive silhouette against the setting sun, noting how the engineers achieved both structural efficiency and aesthetic harmony.

Families will appreciate the series of themed playgrounds spaced along the riverfront, each interpreting Pennsylvania history through play structures. The weather turned unexpectedly chilly during my afternoon walk, and I was grateful for my pocket hand warmers that kept my fingers nimble enough to continue sketching the architectural details of the bridges.

A highlight for architecture enthusiasts is the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, one of the last remaining authentic paddle wheel riverboats in America. While primarily a tourist attraction, it offers an unmatched perspective on Harrisburg's riverfront architecture and the engineering marvel of the bridges when viewed from water level.

For those interested in how domestic architecture evolved alongside civic buildings, the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion offers a fascinating case study. Built in 1766 by the city's founder, this structure has undergone multiple expansions and style adaptations over two centuries.

What began as a modest Georgian brick home was transformed in the 1860s when Simon Cameron (Lincoln's first Secretary of War) purchased and dramatically expanded it into a fashionable Victorian mansion. The resulting architectural palimpsest reveals changing American tastes and technologies—from the original cooking fireplace to Victorian gas lighting fixtures to early 20th-century plumbing retrofits.

The volunteer docents are exceptionally knowledgeable about both architectural details and the social history they represent. I was particularly impressed by their ability to engage children through hands-on demonstrations of historical building techniques and domestic technologies. My guide showed how the original mortise and tenon joints in the Georgian section have held firm for over 250 years—a testament to craftsmanship that puts much modern construction to shame.

For those interested in historical preservation techniques, I recommend bringing a digital light meter to understand how preservationists balance authentic historical lighting conditions with conservation requirements for sensitive materials. The mansion's approach to this balance is particularly sophisticated.

Situated in the middle of the Susquehanna River, City Island offers both recreational facilities and significant historical structures accessible via the Walnut Street Bridge—one of the oldest surviving pedestrian bridges in the United States. Completed in 1890, this wrought iron truss bridge exemplifies late 19th-century engineering principles with its elegant structural expression.

From a technical perspective, I was struck by how the bridge's design anticipates modernist principles of structural honesty, where the load-bearing elements are clearly expressed rather than concealed. The rhythmic pattern of trusses creates a processional experience for pedestrians, framing sequential views of the river and city skyline.

City Island itself houses several historic structures, including the remains of the Pennsylvania Canal system that once connected Harrisburg to the wider commercial networks of the early republic. Archaeology enthusiasts should look for the subtle remains of canal locks visible near the island's northern tip.

Families will appreciate the island's recreational facilities, including miniature golf and a small steam train that circles the island. I found myself unexpectedly spending hours here, alternating between sketching architectural details and watching river patterns from the portable camping chair I always carry in my daypack—perfect for impromptu sketching sessions in comfortable positions.