The gold dome atop the State House has been its most iconic attribute since the building opened in January 1798 to replace the Old State House, which is still standing. The original cupola was replaced in 1859, and the new one that was installed was a third larger than the original. However, the builders left the same pinecone which sits at the highest point of the State House. The pinecone symbolizes the importance of the lumber industry to the early New England economy, Director of State House Operations Tammy Kraus said.