Old Mississippi Capitol - August 4th, 2018
Visit Mississippi's "old" State Capitol building on State Street @ Capitol Street
The first Capitol building was completed in 1839
It served as the seat of State government for 64 years
This building was abandoned when the "new" Capitol building was completed
Mississippi seceeded from the Union with here in 1861
The building housed a museum from 1961 until hurricane Katrina
The museum reopened in 2009 after the building was completely restored
South of the old Capitol is the Mississippi Department of Archives & History
With a monument to the Confederate dead of Mississippi in front
Named for Charlotte Capers who wrote many Mississippi history books
The monument was erected between 1888-1891
A statue of Jefferson Davis is inside, protected from vandalism
With a traditional sentinel standing watch on high and 3 marble plaques with crossed muskets, cannon & shield and letters CSA
Davis was a Mississippi land & slave owner and US Senator
Circle around the old capitol to find brick on its eastern side
The east or rear side faced a swamp so the bricks were left bare
When the bricks were repaired in 1959, the stucco was not restored
The 2009 restoration returned the stone look stucco to the front & sides
Walk from the east to the north side to view the convincing stucco
Looks like stone and not bricks covered with stucco
Curl around the north side to view the main entrance west side
North of the old capitol is the War Memorial Building
The large Art Deco monument was built 1939-1940 to honor those Mississippians who died defending freedom
WWI soldiers are displayed left of the entrance
A central open courtyard w/tomb-like pedestal monument & flagpole inside
Lady Liberty fights with the soldiers, workers and farmers right side
May this symbol stand guard over the ideals and purpose for which gallant . . .
. . . Mississippians suffered & may it serve as an inspiration to us . . .
. . . to shield forever the fragile quality of liberty
Left door has the 1736 Battle of Ackia and 1847 Battle of Buena Vista above
Middle door has 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill & 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood
Right door has 1815 Battle of New Orleans & 1863 Battle of Vicksburg
Above the left door is Samuel Dale (1772-1841), 1st US Rep from MS
Above the middle door is Jefferson Davis (1808-1889)
Above the right door is MS Gov. John Anthony Quitman (1798-1858)
How sweet must be the peace the heroes find when crusade ended
Monument to Mississippi volunteers in the war with Spain 1898
Finally step inside the old capitol and look up from the rotunda
Check out the dome towering over the third floor of the building
First room viewed was that of the Capitol Keeper on the first floor
The next room details the Mississippi territory & early statehood
Mississippi had two early state constitutions in 1817 & 1832
Govs Brown 1844-48, Ames 1868-1876, Lowry 1882-90 & Longino 1900-04
Govoernor portraits hang on the walls of the Governor's office
Take the hallway to the north side of the rotunda
Is this the Men's Room or representing the state of Mississippi?
The next room has the building of the capitol and its restorations
High ceilings of Greek Revival Style helped air circulate & keep cooler
The old capitol was abandoned in 1903 and a hurricane struck in 1909
The old courthouse in Vicksburg has matching porticoes on all sides
The early days of Jackson are detailed and when landmarks were added
The Secession Convention took place in the House Chamber in 1861
Renovated for state offices in 1917 but was too small within ten years
Landmark buildings saved & restored and others were not & demolished
Interior walls were torn out & steel columns were placed throughout (1916)
Elevator to the 3rd floor and view the state library
View the detailed columns supporting the ceiling
Head north on the 3rd floor and look down on the House gallary
The House Chamber was used for large gatherings & joint sessions
The auditorium seating was added in 1959 for big public meetings
The chamber was redesigned in 1870 to make room for more desks
Mississippi seceeded from the union in 1861 within this room
The room is now used for ceremonial occasions
The wraparound upper gallery was also added in 1870
Stay on the 3rd floor and walk to the Senate chamber, view Senate portraits
Look down on the 2nd floor Senate chamber with circle of columns around
3rd floor Senate viewing area surrounded by Senate portraits
Interesting dome chandelier surrounded by magnolias above the chamber
Circle the room, viewing all the portraits of important Mississippians
Too many to photo so multiple group shots on four different walls
Find Robert in the ladies room . . . First Ladies room ♥ ♥ ♥
Ah, the Senate gallery is the Mississippi Hall of Fame
Below, Senators argue time keeping . . . one mississippi, two mississippi
Focus on the columns surrounding the Senate chamber below
Take the stairs by the rotunda down to the 2nd floor
Look up at the dome from the 2nd floor . . . nice!
View the House Chamber through the locked door on the 2nd floor
A monument to the heroic achievements . . . of our early history
Find the 2nd floor MS Supreme Court underneath the State Library
Don't get too close or an alarm sounds!
Spectacular columns and details around the Supreme Court chamber
Pass the 2nd floor rotunda for a view up toward the capitol dome
Displays on the several Mississippi state constitutions written
Display on Reconstruction and its aftermath
MS's 1890 constitution removed blacks from politics, now greatly ammended
Continue to the 2nd floor Senate Chamber, open for tourists
Senate Chamber restored to 1870 configuration w/no fireplaces for heat
Senators debate . . . who is better? Ole Miss or Mississippi State?
Hardwood floor stays shiny with ample handy spittoons nearby
Displays outside the Senate circle surround the Senate chamber
Capture the 3rd floor Senate gallery & railing above the 2nd floor chamber
Better angle on the ceiling light diffuser surrounded by magnolias
Zoom in on the light diffuser, reminiscent of a light house lamp
Take the stairs back down to the first floor and exit the capitol
Tall clock tower 1924 Lamar Life Building across from the Governor's Mansion