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Louisiana's Old State Capitol
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Constructed between 1847 and 1852, this imposing structure on a bluff looking out over the Mississippi River has the appearance from the outside of a medieval fortress. The interior, however, is decorated in marble and rich wood paneling, with a commanding cast-iron spiral staircase and an awesome display of stained glass in the main gallery and in an overhead skylight. Gutted by fire during the Civil War, it was restored in the early 1880s and then fell into disrepair after a new, modern capitol building was built in the early 1930s. Concerned citizens moved to save the structure in the 1970s, and the whole building subsequently has undergone a loving restoration. Today, the Old State Capitol interprets Louisiana’s often rowdy and certainly flamboyant political history, including a fascinating exhibit on the controversial state governor and U.S. senator, Huey Long. Even more impressive is the award-winning multimedia presentation, "The Ghost of the Castle." Explore different aspects of Louisiana’s history in new and exciting ways through the use of interactive technology. These are guaranteed to be attractive to children and adults alike.
Louisiana's Old State Capitol 100 North Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70801
800.488.2968 225.342.0500 225.342.0316 fax
Hours of Operation Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visit the Old State Capitol Foundation's website for more information.
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© 2024 Louisiana Department of State
Louisiana State Capitol
Price & Hours
- Facilities 3.0
- Atmosphere 4.0
At 450 feet tall, the Louisiana State Capitol is the tallest capitol in the United States. Designed in an art deco architectural style, the building is one of only four skyscraper capitols in the U.S. and one of only nine capitol buildings that do not have a dome. Aside from its unique structural design, the building also has an interesting history. It was commissioned in 1930 by Governor Huey Long – one of the state's most controversial political figures – who was nearly impeached on allegations of bribery. Though Long was ultimately not impeached and went on to win a Louisiana Senate seat, in 1935 he was assassinated at the very capitol he fought to build. Today, visitors can tour the capitol and admire the city from the observation deck on the 27th floor.
Past visitors were impressed with the building and the manicured grounds. For many, the view from the observation deck was the highlight. Others appreciated the informational plaques found throughout the building.
The Louisiana State Capitol – a National Historic Landmark – is free to visit and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is temporarily closed. For more information, visit the Louisiana state government website .
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#1 Louisiana's Old State Capitol
A National Historic Landmark, Louisiana's Old State Capitol is not your average capitol building. Designed in a Gothic Revival architecture style and constructed between 1847 and 1852, the exterior of the building looks like a medieval fortress. Created by architect James Harrison Dakin, the building is accented with towers, stained-glass windows and cast-iron – a design aesthetic that Dakin referred to as "Castellated Gothic." Though it's no longer used for official government business (lawmakers started using the new state capitol beginning in 1932), it's open to the public and houses a number of exhibits, including a multimedia presentation about the ghost of Sarah Morgan, a Civil War-era figure who kept diaries of her experiences throughout the war.
Past visitors called the building a "must-see" while in Baton Rouge. Reviewers were particularly impressed by the stained-glass windows and spiral staircase.
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Louisiana State Capitol
- February 27, 2015
- Author & Photographer: Teri Didjurgis
The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge was built in the early 1930s at the height of the Great Depression to a tune of $5 million ($68 million today) in 29 months. The construction of the building and the Old Governor’s Mansion was the result of Huey P. Long efforts during his run for Governor as part of his grand vision for Louisiana. The State Capitol Building became his most visible legacy and the site he was assassinated and buried.
The building is an excellent example of classicism with Art Deco details that were in vogue for monumental buildings in the late 1920’s and 1930’s. The building exterior has plenty of symbolism in the limestone representing the history of Louisiana.
The front doors to the Capitol are reached by a “monumental stairway” consisting of 49 granite steps. Each step has engraved the name of a U.S. state in the order of its statehood. Alaska and Hawaii, which were admitted after the completion of the Capitol, are both on the last step along with the phrase “E pluribus unum”.
Flanking both sides of the stairs are free-standing, limestone sculptures by Lorado Taft entitled Pioneers and Patriots , memorializing both the early settlers and defenders of Louisiana.
Louisiana State Capitol Memorial Hall
Self-guided tours are free, so feel free to explore the public areas of the building. Entering the four-story high lobby, you will be transported back into the world of 1930’s Art Deco. The rectangular Memorial Hall is commonly called the Rotunda even though it is not round. Mounted on the balcony over the elevator banks are the flags of the entities that have held dominion over Louisiana (See Sights in Baton Rouge to see the list). There is also a large central bronze plaque in the center of the hall depicting a relief map showing parish boundaries and seats, industries and exports, and the flora and fauna of Louisiana.
The Hall also features two striking Art Deco murals on either end depicting Louisiana as a land of plenty.
The mural on the east wall is named the “Goddess of Knowledge and Time.” The central figure holds a zodiac in one hand and an hourglass in the other. Harvest scenes make up the background.
The mural on the west wall is named the “Abundance of the Earth.” The central figure here represents agriculture and the figures surrounding her represent art, literature and music.
Louisiana State Capitol First Floor
The Art Deco murals lead to the Senate Chamber (Left) and the House Chamber (Right). These rooms are stunning in architectural detail: hand carved chairs, intricate marble walls and and desks of inlaid wood.
House Chamber
Senate Chamber
You can also walk through the back marble hallway where the Governor’s office was. This is also where Huey Long was assassinated on September 10, 1935. You can still see the chips in the marble walls where the bullets hit and ricocheted.
Louisiana State Capitol Observation Deck
Ride the elevator to the Observation Deck for great views of the city and gardens. The Louisiana State Capitol was built on the ground that was once Louisiana State University and formerly a military post known as the Pentagon Barracks.
Huey Long is fittingly buried in the center of the public Capitol Gardens on the State Capitol’s grounds.
Long stands in the center of an English Garden holding a model of his monument and looking up at his skyscraper – the beginning and the end of his grand political vision for Louisiana.
The Louisiana State Capitol is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Official Website: Louisiana Capitol Building
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm, daily, except on major holidays.
Cost: There is no fee for admission.
Parking: Free parking is available at the “new” Capitol Building OR there are a also a few limited spots at the Old Governor’s Mansion.
More Sights in Baton Rouge: Read Here
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Tour the Baton Rouge New State Capitol building which boasts an observation deck on the 27th floor overlooking the city and gardens. Find location and map details. ... As the tallest capitol in the United States, the Louisiana State Capitol building is 450 feet high with 34 floors. It was completed after only 14 months in 1932 and stands on a ...
Please contact our Education Coordinator, Ashley Franklin for more information or call 225-342-0500. Stay up to date with news and events from Louisiana's Old State Capitol. Be the first to know when exciting events and exhibits begin! General information for tours groups can be found here. Field trips, School groups.
Book a tour and start your adventure today! Louisiana State Capitol. 900 North Third Street (225) 342-7317; ... Located on the 27th floor of the Louisiana State Capitol, provides a spectacular panoramic view of the Mississippi River and the Capital cityscape. The gift shop offers great Louisiana and Baton Rouge souvenirs, and a perfect place to ...
900 North Third Street. Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Google Map. Coordinates: 30.4570821, -91.1895541. Directions: From the North: take I-110 South; take the Capitol Access/DOTD exit, follow Capitol Lake Drive, with the lake to your right and Arsenal Park on your right. Drive behind the Capitol to North Third Street.
Louisiana's Old State Capitol Museum 100 North Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70801. Parking & Transit Information. View on Map. ... Tours may be requested Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Book a Tour. Learn More About the Old State Capitol Visit
There is no admission charge to tour Louisiana's Old State Capitol. Audio guides are also complimentary. If the group would like to see the Ghost of the Castle show, we offer a reduced price ticket rate of $2 per person. Non-group tickets are $3. The 12-minute, multi-media presentation tells the history of our building in a very entertaining ...
Louisiana's Old State Capitol. Immerse yourself in Louisiana's rich culture by touring Louisiana's Old State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark standing high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It houses the Museum of Political History which contains several state-of-the-art exhibits. Though Mark Twain didn't much care for ...
State Capitol Welcome Center. Visit Website. Location. 900 N. Third St. Baton Rouge LA 70802. Get Directions. On a clear day you really can see a lot of Louisiana from the top of the Capitol Tower! French guided tours as well as a walking tour of the State Capitol grounds are available.
Louisiana's Old State Capitol 100 North Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70801. 800.488.2968 225.342.0500 225.342.0316 fax. Hours of Operation Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit the Old State Capitol Foundation's website for more information. sitemap. ELECTIONS & VOTING. Browse by Audience;
Louisiana Capitol History and Tour . ... The "new" Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge was the brainchild of Gov. and U.S. Sen. Huey P. Long. The old state capitol was moving quickly toward obsolescence and a new building was in order. Long first approached the State Board of Liquidation in January 1930 to obtain $5,000 to employ ...
Built in the early 1930s by the dynamic political leader Huey Long, the Louisiana State Capitol has outstanding artwork and an incredible view of the city from an observation platform at the top. It stands as the tallest state capitol building in the United States. In August 1967, the Capitol steps witnessed the dramatic ending of the Bogalusa to Baton Rouge March, led by Civil Rights leader A ...
Louisiana State Capitol is ranked #4 out of 15 things to do in Baton Rouge. See pictures and our review of Louisiana State Capitol. ... Tour Historic Vermilionville (83 reviews) from $10.26. Read ...
Welcome! If walls could speak, our walls would have much to say! Prominently located in downtown Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Old State Capitol is a standing testament to the resiliency of our state and its people. We offer guided tours for groups Tuesday through Friday and free audio tours available in 4 different languages.
Louisiana State Capitol Memorial Hall. Self-guided tours are free, so feel free to explore the public areas of the building. Entering the four-story high lobby, you will be transported back into the world of 1930's Art Deco. The rectangular Memorial Hall is commonly called the Rotunda even though it is not round.
Capitol Grounds. The Capitol Grounds have been described as among the most beautiful in the nation. The 27 acres contain an abundance of native Louisiana plants and trees. The expertly manicured area abounds with oak trees, magnolias and azaleas. The grounds are organized around two walkways, each measuring twenty feet across.
100 North Blvd. Baton Rouge LA 70801. Get Directions. Prominently located in downtown Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Old State Capitol is a standing testament to the resiliency of our state and its people. Learn how this National Historic Landmark has withstood war, fire, abandonment and even a few fist fights. From the historic House Chamber where ...
Magnificent gardens. Oct 2022. The approach to the magnificent Louisiana State Capitol Building is through the equally magnificent Louisiana State Capitol Gardens. With perfectly manicured grass, weedless flowerbeds and perfectly cut box hedges, these gardens add complement the building forming the backdrop. There are benches where you can sit ...
Today we tour the Louisiana State Capitol building, where the infamous Huey P. Long assassination took place in 1935. You can still see the bullet holes in t...
When booking a guided tour for your group, you have the opportunity to participate in a special activity if time allows. These fun, engaging activities are designed to give students a better understanding of our mission as a political history museum, our historic building or one of our current exhibits. ... 2019 Louisiana's Old State Capitol ...
October 19th, 2022 by Latter & Blum. Louisiana has a rich history. One of the best ways to learn all about the state's 300 years of history is to visit one of its two amazing state capitol buildings in Baton Rouge. The old and new state capitol buildings are two of the most spectacular buildings in the state, and each encapsulates the state's ...
A rendering of the Cookies branded medical marijuana dispensary. The dispensary is set to open at 10 a.m. Friday at 1940 O'Neal Lane as part of a partnership with Capitol Wellness Solutions.
Baton Rouge Welcome Center. Atchafalaya Welcome Center. Questions or comments about our Welcome Centers? [email protected]. Planning a visit, need information for a school project, or have a general inquiry? [email protected]. (225) 342-8100. Louisiana Welcome Centers.
Experience Louisiana's history and grandeur at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. As the tallest capitol building in the United States, this architectural marvel stands proudly at 450 feet, offering breathtaking panoramic views from its observation deck. With its beautiful Art Deco design and fascinating exhibits, the Louisiana State Capitol is an unforgettable destination for history ...
ST. MARY PARISH, La. — Louisiana state leaders toured St. Mary Parish on Friday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Francine.Gov. Jeff Landry, along with other state officials, toured areas ...
From its stunning stained glass dome to its unique architecture, the Old State Capitol offers visitors a chance to explore a place unlike any other. To help you plan your visit, browse through our permanent exhibits as well as special programs. For teachers, we have education-based activities and resources for each grade level. Exhibits & Event.
Sep 18, 2024 Sep 18, 2024 Updated 1 hr ago 0 The crash that killed a pedestrian in the median at 71st Street and Yale Avenue on Tuesday was caused by a driver running a red light, Tulsa police ...