The very first protesters on the State Capitol steps were the Sons of the American Revolution.  In 1929, they protested the fact that everyone could walk across the bronze State Seal with the image of George Washington on the rotunda floor.  They thought it was disrespectful that citizens could actually tread across the face of our first president.

One year later, their voices were heard and ropes did go up to protect the State Seal.  In that short amount of time, the nose of George Washington was slightly worn off and, if you look closely, there are still small dent marks on his face from ladies who walked on it in their high heels!