Old Louisiana State Capitol, Gothic Revival government building in downtown Baton Rouge, United States.
The Old Louisiana State Capitol is a Gothic Revival museum building in downtown Baton Rouge with pointed towers and stained glass windows. The facade shows crenellations and arches, while inside a winding staircase leads to several exhibition rooms.
James Dakin designed the building between 1847 and 1850 as the seat of Louisiana state government. After a fire during the Civil War, it was restored in 1976 and reopened as a museum of political history.
The name reflects its role as a government center, and today the rooms display posters and prints about statewide elections. Visitors can walk between the halls and see old writing desks and assembly benches from the 19th century.
The museum sits close to the Mississippi River and offers free entry with guided tours from Tuesday to Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM. The rooms are connected by staircases, so mobility is helpful when visiting.
The stained glass windows show scenes from state politics and were added during the restoration in the 1970s. Many visitors overlook the small inscriptions on the door frames that mention former governors.
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