Mississippi State Capitol Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Mississippi State Capitol
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

Mississippi State Capitol Building
Location in Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Fronting Mississippi St., between N. President and N. West Sts., Jackson, Mississippi
Built	1901-1903 took 28 months renovations were in 1979-1982
Architect	Theodore C. Link, Bernard R. Green (consultant to the State House Commission)
Architectural style	Beaux Arts
NRHP reference No.	69000086
Added to NRHP	November 25, 1969
Designated NHL	October 31, 2016

The Mississippi State Capitol, also called the “New Capitol,” is where Mississippi’s state government works. It took over from the old statehouse in 1903. This important building is located in Jackson.

It has been recognized as a special place. In 1986, it became a Mississippi Landmark. Later, in 2016, it was named a National Historic Landmark. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

The Capitol Building
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The Capitol Building

Building History

For many years, people talked about building a new Capitol. Finally, Governor Andrew Houston Longino, who started his job in 1900, convinced the state’s lawmakers to build it. He became the leader of the team in charge of the new building.

Architects from all over the country sent in their ideas. Bernard Green, an engineer who helped design the Library of Congress, reviewed the plans. He chose the design by Theodore C. Link from St. Louis, Missouri.

The Capitol was built on the site of the old state prison. It was finished very quickly, in just 28 months, by 1903. It cost about one million dollars. Luckily, the state didn't have to borrow money. Mississippi won a lawsuit against the Illinois Central Railroad and used the money to pay for the Capitol.

The Capitol building first held all three parts of the government. These parts are the lawmakers (Legislative Branch), the courts (Judicial Branch), and the Governor (Executive Branch). Today, only the lawmakers still work full-time in the Capitol. The Supreme Court moved out in 1972. The Governor’s main office is now in a building across the street.

In the 1930s, the inside of the Capitol got a colorful makeover. Artists painted the ceilings, including the main dome. This project added beautiful artwork to the building.

From 1979 to 1982, the Capitol had its biggest renovation. During this time, the lawmakers met in an old high school. The project cost $19 million. Many public areas were restored, like the rooms for the House of Representatives and Senate. The Governor’s Reception Room and the main Rotunda were also made beautiful again.

Building Design and Features

The Capitol is a great example of Beaux Arts style. This style is known for being grand and classical.

The building is 402 feet wide and 225 feet deep. It has a total of 171,000 square feet of space. The central dome rises 180 feet high, which is like an 18-story building.

The outside walls are made of Indiana limestone. The base and stairs are made of strong Georgia granite. A large copper eagle covered in gold leaf sits on top of the dome. This eagle is eight feet tall and 15 feet wide. It faces south, which is a reminder of Mississippi's history. In 2006, strong winds turned the eagle, but it was quickly noticed and fixed.

Inside the Capitol, you can see more than ten types of marble from different places. There are also eight types of "art marble" called scagliola. Architect Theodore Link used new electric lighting when he designed the building. There were 4,750 electric lights, and many are still used today.

Beautiful stained and leaded glass windows are original to the building. They were made by Louis Millet of Chicago, Illinois. You can see them on the grand staircase, in the domes, and in the rooms for the Senate and House of Representatives. Some glass ceilings on the upper floors let natural light shine into the hallways.

On the ground floor, the Hall of Governors displays portraits of all of Mississippi’s past governors. This includes the first governor, Winthrop Sargent.

The main Rotunda is on the second floor. Its walls are made of white Italian marble with black Belgian marble trim. You can see different classical column styles here. The Rotunda also has a sculpture of Lady Justice above each top arch.

The second floor also used to house the old Supreme Court and the old State Library.

The third floor has the rooms for the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 52 members, and the House has 122 members. The offices for the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House are also on this floor. The Governor has a ceremonial office here too.

You can watch the Senate and House meetings from the public galleries on the fourth floor.

Visiting the Capitol

Hours

The Capitol is open from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on weekends.

Tours

You can take free guided tours with staff and volunteers. Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. You can also explore the Capitol on your own with a self-guided tour anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you are part of a group or school, you can book a special tour.