Florida State Capitol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Florida State Capitol
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Florida Capitol buildings (Old Capitol in foreground)
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| Location | 400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, Florida |
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| Area | 160000 |
| Built | 1845 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000584 |
| Added to NRHP | 1973 |
The Florida State Capitol is a very important building in Tallahassee, Florida. It's where Florida's government works. This building is special because of its history and how it looks. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized for its historical value.
The Capitol is located in downtown Tallahassee. It sits at the corner of Apalachee Parkway and South Monroe Street.
There are actually two main Capitol buildings. The older one, built in 1845, is often called the "Old Capitol" or "Historic Capitol." In the late 1970s, people wanted to tear it down when the new building was being built. But thankfully, it was saved! It was restored to look like it did in 1902. Today, the Historic Capitol is right behind the new one.
Inside the Historic Capitol, you can see restored rooms. These include the Governor's office, the Supreme Court, and the rooms where the House of Representatives and Senate used to meet. It also has a museum called the Florida Historic Capitol Museum. This museum shows the political history of Florida.
The newer, taller building is called the "New Capitol." It holds the offices for the state's leaders (the executive branch) and lawmakers (the legislative branch). This is where the Florida Legislature meets. The Legislature is made up of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives.
The entire Capitol Complex is managed by the Florida Department of Management Services. It is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on state holidays.
Contents
Understanding the Capitol Buildings
The buildings are usually called the Old Capitol and the New Capitol. The Old Capitol is sometimes called the Historic Capitol. Before the New Capitol was built in 1977, the Old Capitol was simply called the Florida State Capitol. Today, its official name is the Florida Historic Capitol Museum. The New Capitol building itself doesn't have a formal legal name.
History of Florida's Capitol
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Tallahassee became Florida's capital city in 1824. It was chosen because it was halfway between the two largest cities at the time, St. Augustine and Pensacola. The first government meetings were held in a simple log building.
A proper capitol building was started in 1826, but it was never fully finished. It was torn down in 1839. The building we now call the Historic Capitol was then built. It was completed in 1845, just before Florida became the 27th state in the United States.
Over the years, the Historic Capitol had several additions. In 1902, Frank Pierce Milburn added the famous dome. In 1923, Henry Klutho added two new wings and a marble interior. Later, in 1936 and 1947, large wings were added for the House and Senate meeting rooms.
The 1902 Capitol building was the last time all of Florida's government was in one building. Later, the Florida Supreme Court moved into its own building nearby.
Why a New Capitol Building Was Needed
In the 1960s, Florida's population grew a lot, especially in the central and southern parts of the state. This meant more people needed to be represented in the government. There was a big discussion about whether to move Florida's capital city to a more central location, like Orlando or Jacksonville.
However, Florida voters decided to keep the capital in Tallahassee. Because the state government was growing, a much larger building was needed.
Saving the Old Capitol Building
The architects who designed the New Capitol thought the Old Capitol would be torn down. So, the new building was designed without considering the old one. The plan was to clear the space where the Old Capitol stood.
But citizens, led by Secretary of State Bruce Smathers and his wife Nancy McDowell, fought to save the Historic Capitol. Their efforts worked! The building was restored to look like it did in 1902. This meant removing the later House and Senate wings.
The restored Historic Capitol has beautiful features. These include a colorful art glass dome, red and white striped awnings, and a design of the Florida State Seal above the entrance. In 2011, the dome was restored with new copper roofing, and it looks great today.
The New Capitol Building
The New Capitol building was designed by Edward Durell Stone and Reynolds, Smith & Hills. It has a style called "Neoclassicism," with a fancy grill and white columns. This design shows Florida's growth and development.
The New Capitol is often called a 22-story building. But if you count the three underground floors, it's actually 25 stories tall! The Governor and other state leaders have their offices on the Plaza Level.
The second to fourth floors of the main building are used for the Senate and House of Representatives. These floors also have offices for legislative leaders and meeting rooms. The main meeting rooms for the Senate and House are on the fourth floor. You can watch the lawmakers from public viewing areas on the fifth floor.
The floors above the fifth floor are mostly for executive and legislative offices. There's a cafeteria downstairs and a snack bar on the tenth floor. The Florida Welcome Center is at the west entrance on the Plaza Level. Here, you can get maps and brochures. You can also take a self-guided tour, or a guided tour if you are with a group.
The Senate and House also have their own office buildings. These are four stories tall and are connected to the main Capitol building by bridges on the second and third floors. These buildings have more meeting rooms and offices for lawmakers.
Things to See at the Capitol
Capitol Grounds and Gardens
The Capitol Complex has several interesting monuments and features outside. On the northeast side, there is a marker for the Florida Sri Chinmoy Peace State. East of the House Office Building, you can see a replica of the Liberty Bell. This bell was a gift to Florida citizens in 1950.
Inside the Capitol Courtyard, there is a memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dedicated in 1984. South of that is The Florida Fraternal Order of Police Law Enforcement Memorial, dedicated in 2000. It lists the names of police officers who died while on duty. Outside the Senate Office Building, there is a monument for Floridians who received the Purple Heart medal.
On the lawn of the Old Capitol, there are two marble monuments called obelisks. The northern one is the Leon County Civil War Memorial. It honors Floridian Confederate soldiers who fought in the U.S. Civil War. The Florida Department of Management Services takes care of all the Capitol grounds.
Inside the Capitol Building
The Plaza Level of the New Capitol has many important things to see. In the Rotunda, there's a large bronze copy of the State Seal on a marble floor. This seal is surrounded by five smaller seals. These represent the different nations that have ruled over parts of Florida: France, Spain, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
North of the Rotunda, you'll find the Florida Women's Hall of Fame and the Fallen Firefighters Wall of Honor. To the south, there's the Florida Artists Hall of Fame and a memorial for Florida's Medal of Honor recipients.
The Heritage Chapel is a quiet space for reflection. Nearby, a plaque honors Senator Lee Weissenborn. His efforts to move the Capitol to Orlando actually helped push for the construction of this new building in Tallahassee. The Florida Welcome Center is also on the west Plaza Level. It has murals called "Images of the Sunshine State" by artist James Rosenquist.
On the fifth floor, you can visit the public viewing galleries for the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. You can watch lawmakers in action. The House chamber has murals by Christopher Still showing Florida's history. Outside the Senate galleries, there's the Five Flags Mural by Renee Faure, which shows people from Florida's past.
The Observation Deck is on the very top, the 22nd floor, of the Capitol building. It's 307 feet (94 meters) above the Plaza Level. From here, you get amazing views of Tallahassee. The east wing has an art gallery with changing displays by Florida artists. It also has bronze plaques for the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. On the south side, you'll find the Freedom Shrine.
Florida Legislative Research Center & Museum
The Capitol is also home to the Florida Legislative Research Center & Museum. This museum has exhibits about Florida's legislative history. Its collection includes art, old photographs, documents, and oral histories (stories told by people). The Gallery at the Historic Capitol often features changing photo exhibits from this museum.
See also
In Spanish: Capitolio del Estado de Florida para niños
- Florida Democratic Party
- Marshall Ledbetter
- Republican Party of Florida
- List of state and territorial capitols in the United States
