Exploring the Georgia State Capitol Building

Visiting the Georgia State Capitol is a walk through history, a chance to learn about Georgia's proud and not so proud moments.  Designed by Chicago architects Willoughby J. Edbrooke and Franklin P. Burnham, the classical, domed building was completed in 1889.  While the marble, wood, cast-iron and gold come from Georgia, the building's limestone is actually from Indiana.  Take some time to tour the grounds and admire the architecture of the capitol, the Dahlonega gold-leaf dome and the statute of "Miss Freedom" on top, as well as the statutes of various prominent Georgians on the grounds.

The Georgia State Capitol and Capitol Museum are free of charge to visit.  Self-guided tour brochures are available at the entrance and also online here.  The University of Georgia has also produced a free iPhone app, which includes maps, information and videos about the capitol's history.  While the iPhone app has some great content, it could be more extensive, so be sure to use it in conjunction with the brochures to make the most of your visit.

Wander around the second floor of the Capitol and view the various portraits and sculptures of governors of Georgia as well as the painting of Martin Luther King, Jr.  The videos on the iPhone app do a wonderful job of recounting the three governors controversy, the changes in Georgia during the Civil Rights era, and the role of Jimmy Carter in Georgia politics prior to his becoming a U.S. President.  You can also walk by the governor's office which is behind glass and perhaps catch a glimpse of the governor at work.  Walk over the beautiful glass windows at the bottom of the rotunda and then cast your gaze upward.  The dome was recently restored, but it already appears to be in need of additional restoration work.

If you are visiting the Capitol during a legislative session, you may be able to watch the sessions from one of the balconies above either chamber.  Signs outside the balconies prescribe rules of decorum for watching the sessions.

The top floor of the capitol building houses the Georgia Capitol Museum, which contains several artifacts and displays telling the story of the Georgia since its founding.  Some of the most poignant displays are those explaining the era of segregation and the changes brought forth by the Civil Rights Movement.

The Georgia State Capitol offers a free educational experience for travelers interested in learning more about Georgia's past and the present-day function of state government.