Finance and Administration Cabinet
Historic Properties unveils third limited edition Capitol ornament

FRANKFORT, Ky.—The Finance and Administration Cabinet's Division of Historic Properties has announced the third in its series of limited edition Kentucky State Capitol ornaments for the holiday season. 

The 2005 ornament features the ornately carved Capitol Pediment that greets visitors to the Capitol building’s north entrance. It is one of the structure’s most recognizable and photographed pieces of art.

Each expertly crafted ornament is packaged in its own presentation box along with a brief history of the pediment and its significance to the Capitol. The 2005 edition has been masterfully designed by the ChemArt Company, which designs and provides the annual White House Christmas ornament to collectors around the world.

“Proceeds for the sale of the ornaments will go to an endowment fund for the continual renovation and restoration of one of Kentucky’s most recognizable landmarks,” First Lady Glenna Fletcher said. “This is especially important now that we are approaching the 100^th anniversary of this beautiful building.”

The Capitol Pediment features a limestone sculpture that represents Kentucky and her attendants; Progress, History, Plenty, Law, Art, and Labor. In 1906, the Kentucky State Legislature appropriated $40,000 for the installation of the exterior sculpture by C.H. Niehaus on the recommendation of the architect Frank Mills Andrews. By December of 1907, the sculpture was nearly complete and is still appreciated by visitors today.

Ornaments may be purchased for $20 and are available at the 1792 Store at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Capitol Gift Shop, the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism Office, the Lexington History Museum, the Capital City Museum, Kentucky State Resort Parks, Completely Kentucky and the Berry Mansion. The ornament may be viewed and ordered online at www.finance.ky.gov/ornament or via phone at 502-564-3000, extension 228. 

-30-