The "new" and current State House, designed by Charles Bulfinch, has served as the center of Massachusetts government since its inauguration in 1798. It is next to the former location of the historic Hancock House and houses the legislative and executive branches. The building is a national landmark. The State House was originally built for $700,000. Today it would cost more than $40 million to build again. The first stone was laid on July 4, 1798, and the house was completed eight years later. Massachusetts's second capital city, Boston, is about 20 miles away from the State House. At one time, plans were made to move the capital back to Boston, but this idea was rejected by the people in a referendum vote in 1872. Since the State House is the center of government, many important events have taken place within its walls. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected president of the United States in a joint session of Congress at the State House. In 1825, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize civil marriage. Now all marriages in Massachusetts must be legal or invalid; there are no religious ceremonies allowed. The last election held here was in 2002 when Senator Ted Kennedy died after serving for forty-three years. He had been in office since 1962.