Old Mississippi State Capitol, Greek Revival capitol building in Jackson, United States.
The Old Mississippi State Capitol is a capitol building in Jackson featuring white columns and a central dome that rises prominently from the structure. The edifice displays the formal architectural characteristics typical of government buildings constructed in this period.
Construction began in 1833 but problems with architect John Lawrence and substandard materials led to his replacement in 1836 by William Nichols, who completed the three-story building in 1840. It served as Mississippi's statehouse from 1839 to 1903, hosting the 1839 Married Women's Property Act, the 1861 ordinance of secession, and the constitutional conventions of 1865, 1868, 1890 and 1875. Abandoned in 1903, it was renovated for state offices in 1916 and became the State Historical Museum in 1961.
The building's name survives in the nickname "Old Capitol," and since 1961 it has housed the State Historical Museum, run by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Visitors see the restored legislative chambers where the 1839 Married Women's Property Act, the first such law in any state, was passed, and the 1861 ordinance of secession was adopted.
Admission is free, and you can visit the building during regular hours, though group visits should be arranged in advance. It's worth checking opening times before your visit to ensure the building is accessible.
The copper rotunda dome rises 94 feet (29 m) above the first floor. Inside, wood is the main material, except for brick partition walls and flagstones on the rotunda floor. Hurricane Katrina winds tore off sections of the copper roof in August 2005, and rain from Hurricane Rita weeks later damaged ceilings, walls and ornamentation.
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