Overview of the Supreme Court
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Tour of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court courtroom is 43 feet wide, 56 feet long and 35 feet
high. Most of the wood in the room is oak. The state seal is emblazoned on
many of the wall panels, the lamps and the carpet. Included in the seal is
the state motto, "Qui transtulit sustinet" ("He who transplanted still
sustains"). The portraits on the walls are those of the most recently
retired Chief Justices.
The two murals that dominate the room were
painted by Albert Herter and placed in the building upon its completion in
1913. Behind the justices' bench is "The Signing of the Fundamental Orders
of 1638-39." The Orders, the first written constitution in the United
States, were drawn up by Thomas Hooker, Roger Ludlow and John Haynes. Hooker
is shown standing and addressing the gathering. Ludlow, the secretary, is
seated, while Haynes stands in the background with a copy of the new
constitution in his hand. In the corners of the mural are the seals of
England, seventeenth century Connecticut and modern Connecticut.
The
ceiling mural is entitled "An Allegory of Education." At the top, a mother
is seated with the Book of Knowledge and Experience in her lap and her child
by her side. On her left stands the Spirit of Wisdom; on her right, the
Spirit of Progress. The center portion shows two young men bearing flaming
torches that represent the light of education gained from the Book of
Knowledge and Experience. They are going forth into life's activities, urged
on by the Spirits of Wisdom and Progress. The bottom portion of the mural
shows two figures, representing ignorance and superstition. They appear
confused as they fall farther and farther into the darkness as the light of
education advances.
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