STATE HOUSE - Fourteen members of the Senior Citizens Club of Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence were accompanied on a tour of the State House on Monday, May 18, by Rep. John S. Simonian, who represents Cranston's District 27 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
"The State House is a magnificent public building," said Representative Simonian. "Although Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church is right around the corner, for some of the church seniors it was their first visit. Everyone was very impressed."
The tour for the senior church group was arranged by Representative Simonian, who serves on the House Finance Committee. Highlights of the day were a visit to both chambers of the General Assembly, the State Library, and the State Reception Room of the Executive Chamber, where the famous full-length painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart hangs.
Representative Simonian said that the centennial celebration of State House is fast approaching. "Now is an excellent opportunity for Rhode Islanders to visit this great public building which has seen so much history over the past 100 years," he said.
The State House was designed by the New York architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White. Construction began in the fall of 1895 and continued until 1904. As completed, the building stands 330 feet long, 180 feet wide, and 235 from the terrace to the top of the "Independent Man" statue on the dome.
