First Territorial Capitol of Kansas, Capitol building and museum in Pawnee, United States
The First Territorial Capitol is a two-story stone structure featuring Federal architecture with symmetrical windows and a rectangular design situated at Fort Riley. The building displays the straightforward craftsmanship of 19th-century construction with clean lines and functional proportions.
The building served as Kansas Territory's first capitol in 1855 but was abandoned after just five days in July due to a cholera outbreak. After the legislature moved on, the structure underwent various uses before eventually being restored as a historical museum.
The building reflects the political divisions of the territorial period, when supporters and opponents of slavery fought over Kansas' future direction. These conflicts shaped how visitors today understand this pivotal transitional era.
Visiting requires you to obtain a temporary Fort Riley Access Pass at the Visitor Control Center before exploring the grounds. Plan ahead and be aware of the military installation's access requirements when scheduling your visit.
After its brief use as a capitol, the building became a warehouse and carpentry shop before reopening as a museum in 1928. This unexpected second life as a working space shows how quickly the site's political significance was forgotten.
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