Wyoming State Capitol Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Wyoming State Capitol
Wyoming State Capitol, seen from rear.
General information
Architectural style	Renaissance Revival
Address	200 W. 24th St., Cheyenne, Wyoming
Country	United States
Coordinates	41°8′25″N 104°49′11″W / 41.14028°N 104.81972°W / 41.14028; -104.81972
Construction started	1886; 139 years ago (1886)
Completed	1890; 135 years ago (1890)
Cost	$150,000
Client	State of Wyoming
Design and construction
Architect	David Williams Gibbs and William DuBois
Engineer	Adam Feick & Bro.; Moses B. Keefe; John W. Howard


Wyoming State Capitol and Grounds
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

Area	4 acres (1.6 ha)
NRHP reference No.	73001935
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 29, 1973
Designated NHL	May 4, 1987

The Wyoming State Capitol is a very important building located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Cheyenne is the capital city of Wyoming. This building is where the state government works. It houses the Wyoming State Legislature, which makes laws for the state. It also has the office of the Governor of Wyoming.

The Capitol was built a long time ago, between 1886 and 1890. It is a special place in American history. Because of its importance, it was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1987. The building had a big renovation project that lasted three years. It reopened to the public on July 10, 2019, looking better than ever.

A Look Back: The Capitol's Story
What Does the Capitol Look Like?
- Inside the Capitol: The Rotunda and Dome
- The Chambers and Murals
Giving the Capitol a Makeover
- The Golden Dome
- Secret Vaults Discovered
Gallery
See also

A Look Back: The Capitol's Story

The Capitol building started being built before Wyoming officially became a state. Cheyenne became a city in 1867. This happened when the Union Pacific railroad crews arrived to build tracks. Cheyenne quickly grew bigger than older towns in Wyoming. In 1869, Cheyenne became the capital for the new Wyoming Territory.

In 1886, the government decided to build the State Capitol. A group of five people was chosen to find the best spot for it. They also picked an architect and found builders. The chosen architects were David W. Gibbs & Company. Their plans were approved in July 1886. Construction began on September 9, 1886.

The government started using the building even before it was finished. The two smaller parts on the east and west were done in 1890. As Wyoming grew, more space was needed. So, in 1915, more construction was approved. The House and Senate meeting rooms were finished in March 1917.

In 1974, money was set aside for the first big renovation. This project was completed in 1980. Workers cleaned and restored all the wood. They also painted the walls in their original designs. Old wooden floors were replaced with steel and concrete. The building's wiring, heating, and air conditioning were also updated.

In 2013, a group was formed to plan more renovations. The government approved a big renovation project in 2014. This project included the Capitol and other nearby buildings. The work was completed in 2019.

The Capitol became a National Historic Landmark in 1987. This was because of its important role in Wyoming's history. It was especially noted for hosting meetings that helped women get the right to vote in the state constitution.

What Does the Capitol Look Like?

The Capitol's front, with the House and Senate chambers added in 1915.

The Capitol building is located just north of downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming. As you walk up to the front steps, you can see the State Seal. It is made of granite right on the ground.

The building's design is called Renaissance Revival. It looks a bit like the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. The stone used for the building came from quarries in Rawlins, Wyoming, and Fort Collins, Colorado. The first stone, called the cornerstone, was placed on May 18, 1887. Inside it were maps, a list of government officials, and other papers. In 1987, for the Capitol's 100th birthday, the cornerstone was opened. The old documents were replaced, and new ones were added before it was sealed again.

Inside the Capitol: The Rotunda and Dome

When you stand in the middle of the rotunda and look up, you see the dome. The stained glass at the base of the dome came from England. From below, it shines with blue, purple, and green colors. But from above, it glows with red, yellow, and orange. The very top of the dome is 146 feet high. Its base is 50 feet wide.

The first floor of the rotunda is very impressive. It has checkerboard marble floors and tall columns. There is also a beautiful staircase made of cherry wood. This wood was brought all the way from Ohio.

The Governor is the only elected official who has offices inside the Capitol building. Other elected officials have special offices for ceremonies.

The Chambers and Murals

The Senate chamber is on the second floor, in the west part of the building. The House chamber is also on the second floor, in the east part. Each chamber has four large murals. These were painted by Allen Tupper True in August 1917. They show different parts of Wyoming's culture, history, and industries.

In the Senate chamber, the murals show an Indian Chief Cheyenne, a Frontier Cavalry Officer, a Pony Express Rider, and Railroad Builders/Surveyors. The House murals are called Cattlemen, Trappers, Homesteaders, and Stagecoach. The ceilings of both chambers have stained glass. The Wyoming State Seal is in the center of each. Visitors can see both chambers from balconies on the third floor. The wood in both chambers is oak.

Giving the Capitol a Makeover

The Wyoming State Capitol had a big restoration project from 2016 to 2019. Many improvements were made during this time. New stairs, elevators, and restrooms were added. Old decorative paintings and moldings were carefully restored. The electrical and heating/cooling systems were also improved.

During the restoration, workers found hidden paintings and decorated parts of the building. They also found old woodwork. All these discoveries were carefully brought back to their original beauty. Another important part of the project was to make the dome more visible. A large building next to the Capitol was taken down. This allowed people to see the dome better from North Capitol Avenue.

The Golden Dome

The dome is a key part of the Capitol building's look. It stands tall against the sky. The dome is made of copper. In 1900, it started to look dull. So, they began covering it with gold leaf. The dome is covered in 24-carat gold leaf. This means it is pure gold. You can see its shine from all roads leading into Cheyenne.

The dome has been covered in gold five times. The first time was in 1900. Only ten out of the fifty U.S. states have gold-covered domes on their capitol buildings. In 2009, the dome was re-covered in gold. During the 2016-2019 restoration, scaffolding covered the dome while work was done. Inside the dome, you can see signatures of the workers who built it. Others have added their names over the years. Thanks to this restoration, the dome is expected to last 90 more years.

Secret Vaults Discovered

On the Garden Level of the Capitol, there are six old vaults. They were covered in many layers of paint. During the restoration, this paint was carefully removed. Beneath the paint, unique paintings were found on each vault door. These vaults were made by the Mosler Safe and Lock Company. This company was very famous for making safes back then.