Each ornament is packaged in its own presentation box along with a brief history of the Capitol. The 2003 ornament has been masterfully designed and crafted by the ChemArt Company of Lincoln, Rhode Island. ChemArt also designs the annual White House Christmas ornaments.

The ornament depicts a view of the beaux-arts style statehouse from the north front lawn. At the center of the ornament is the impressive Capitol dome, which was modeled after the one over Napoleon’s tomb in Paris, France. The architect Frank Mills Andrews of Dayton, Ohio designed the building. Ground was broken in 1905 and construction on the New Capitol building was completed in 1909 at a cost of $1.8 million. 

Proceeds from the sale of the 500 ornaments will go to an endowment fund for renovation and restoration of the Capitol building. In 1999, a master plan was developed for a comprehensive renovation of the nearly 100-year-old majestic structure. The plan addressed the historic restoration, mechanical systems, space allocation, lighting, ADA issues and structural integrity of the 235,000 square foot building, which has not undergone a significant renovation since the 1950s. Restoration and renovation plans to have been put on hold due to budgetary constraints. The Cabinet has included funding for the project in its 2004-2006 biennial budget request.

The ornaments are available at the Capitol Gift Shop, the 1792 Shop at the Kentucky History Center in historic downtown Frankfort and by mail order from the Division of Historic Properties, Berry Hill Mansion, 700 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. The cost of each ornament is $20. Checks should be made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

A photo of the ornament is available at http://finance.ky.gov/ornament.htm

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