Wyoming State Capitol facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

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
Completed	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 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is where the government of Wyoming works. The Capitol was built between 1886 and 1890.

Inside, you'll find the rooms where the Wyoming State Legislature meets. This is where state laws are made. The office of the Governor of Wyoming is also in this building. In 1987, the Capitol was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very special place in American history. The building was closed for a big three-year renovation and reopened on July 10, 2019.

History of the Capitol Building
- Building the Capitol
- Modern Updates and Renovations
Exploring the Capitol Building
Capitol Renovation Project
- The Golden Dome
- Hidden Vaults
Images for kids
Gallery
See also

History of the Capitol Building

The Capitol building started being built before Wyoming 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 center of the new Territorial government. This was the government before Wyoming became a state.

Building the Capitol

In 1886, the government decided to build the State Capitol. A group of five people was chosen to find the land and pick an architect. They also had to find the best builders for the job.

The group chose the company of David W. Gibbs & Company to design the building. Their plans were approved in July 1886. A company called Adam Feick & Brother started construction on September 9, 1886.

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

Modern Updates and Renovations

In 1974, money was set aside to update the Capitol. This first renovation project was finished in 1980. Workers cleaned and stained all the wood. They also painted the walls with the original designs and colors. Old wooden floor beams were replaced with strong steel and concrete. The building's wiring, heating, and air conditioning were also made modern.

In 2013, the Wyoming State Legislature created a team to look at more possible updates. The Legislature approved a big renovation project in 2014. This project included the Capitol and other nearby buildings. It cost $299 million and was finished in 2019.

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

Exploring the Capitol Building

The Capitol building is just north of downtown Cheyenne. Before you walk up the front steps, you'll see the State Seal. It's made of granite right on the ground.

Building Style and Materials

The building looks like the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. This style is called Renaissance Revival. The stone used for the building came from quarries in Rawlins, Wyoming, and Fort Collins, Colorado.

The first stone of the building was placed on May 18, 1887. Inside this stone were maps, a list of government officials, and other papers. In 1987, for the Capitol's 100th birthday, these papers were replaced.

Inside the Dome

If you stand in the middle of the rotunda and look up, you'll see beautiful stained glass. It was brought all the way 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. The base of the dome is 50 feet wide.

First Floor and Offices

The first floor of the rotunda is amazing. It has black and white checkerboard marble floors. There are also tall columns and a grand staircase. This staircase is made of cherry wood from Ohio.

The Governor is the only elected official who has a main office in the Capitol building. Other elected officials have special offices for ceremonies.

Legislative Chambers

The Senate chamber is on the west side of the second floor. The House chamber is on the east side of the second floor. Each room has four large murals painted by Allen Tupper True. He painted them in August 1917.

These murals show different parts of Wyoming's culture, history, and industries. In the Senate chamber, the murals are called Indian Chief Cheyenne, Frontier Cavalry Officer, Pony Express Rider, and Railroad Builders/Surveyors. The House murals are called Cattlemen, Trappers, Homesteaders, and Stagecoach.

The ceilings of both rooms have stained glass from a company in Omaha, Nebraska. The Wyoming State Seal is in the center of the ceiling. Visitors can see both chambers from balconies on the third floor. The wood in both rooms is oak.

Capitol Renovation Project

The Wyoming State Capitol went through a huge restoration from 2016 to 2019. Many great improvements were made during this time.

Some changes included adding stairs, elevators, and restrooms. Old decorative paintings and moldings were carefully fixed. The electrical and heating/cooling systems were also made much better. During the work, hidden paintings, decorations, and woodwork were found. These were all carefully restored.

Another big goal was to make the dome more visible. A large glass 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 one of the most important parts of the Capitol building. It stands tall and represents Wyoming's values. The dome is made of copper. In 1900, it started to tarnish (change color). So, they began covering it with gold leaf.

The dome is covered in 24-carat gold leaf. This means it's very pure gold. You can see its shine from all roads leading into the city. It has been covered in gold five times, starting 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 for $1.3 million.

During the 2016-2019 restoration, scaffolding covered the dome while work was done. Thanks to this restoration, the dome is now expected to last 90 years, much longer than before.

Hidden Vaults

On the first floor of the Capitol, there are six vaults. These vaults were covered in brown paint. But during the restoration, the paint was removed. Underneath, unique paintings were found on each vault door!

These vaults were made by the Mosler Safe and Lock Company. This was a very famous safe company at the time. The company was first called Mosler, Bahmann and Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later, Mosler's sons took over the business. They moved it to Hamilton, Ohio, and changed the name to Mosler Safe and Lock Company.