Georgia Capitol Museum — Attraction in Atlanta

Like many U.S. state capitols, the Georgia State Capitol is designed to resemble the Neoclassical architectural style of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C. Former Confederate general Philip Cook was a member of the commission that oversaw planning and construction of the building. The commission engaged architects Willoughby J. Edbrooke and Franklin Pierce Burnham, of Chicago to design the building and Miles and Horne of Toledo, Ohio for construction. Work completed in March 1889. Sculptor George Crouch executed all the ornamental work on the building. The Capitol faces west on Washington Street. The façade features a four-story portico, with stone pediment, supported by six Corinthian columns set on large stone piers. Georgia's coat of arms, with two figures on each side, is carved on the pediment. The Capitol's interior represents the 19th-century style of its time. It was among the earliest buildings to have elevators, centralized steam heat, and combination gas and electric lights. Classical pilasters and oak paneling are used throughout the building. The floors of the interior are marble from Pickens County, which still produces marble today. The open central rotunda is flanked by two wings, each with a grand staircase and three-story atrium crowned by clerestory windows. The Capitol building has undergone frequent renovations to adapt to the growth and change of government. Originally constructed from terra cotta and covered with tin, in a 1958 renovation the present dome was gilded with native gold leaf from near Dahlonega in Lumpkin County, where the first American gold rush occurred during the 1830s. For this reason, legislative business is often referred to as what is happening "under the Gold Dome" by media across the state. The statue Miss Freedom has adorned the dome since the building's opening. In 1997, the House and Senate chambers were restored to their 1889 appearance with replicated decoration and color schemes. This included the demolition of damaged plaster, the reinstallation of flat plaster at the dome, columns, and walls, and a decorative painting in the House and...

Nice building só was thinking it worst to go. When discover that all main entrances are closed and you have to turn around to access a small door of the basement, a expectation lowered. Good new, it is free, you receive a very small flyer for the four floors, wouah, I will spend the afternoon here. The advice is to start by the fourth floor and going down. That's the good advice and it will be almost the last good news. Fourth floor, a lot of things about the state evolution, a bit history, segregation and the various elections of the state. Unique opportunity to see general view of the congress room too. You may spend 90% of you time to the 4th floor. 3rd floor, a few things about wildlife and prehistory. 2nd floor offices doors 1st floor is a hall of fame, and offices. One office looks rich, there is no indication of access but an employee invited me to visit. That's the governor office, really few things to see, but the atmosphere is special and nice to experience. I may look a bit rough but i am européen and i expected far more...

Educational, interesting, and friendly employees. We visited the Capitol building on a Friday afternoon in January when there was nothing major going on. We parked a couple of blocks away in the Underground Atlanta garage and paid $12 for 2 hours. We had read the self-guided tour pamphlet before arriving, and we wandered around at our own pace. The person working inside the front office section of the Governor’s Office beckoned us inside and allowed us to go see inside the ceremonial office with its various mementos. She was very gracious, and the spaces had some interesting artwork and display items. We went into both the House chamber and the Senate Chamber and looked around a bit. Artwork throughout was enjoyable to see. The fourth floor museum display cases were interesting. My children (7 & 9) were ready to be done after a short time, but they learned something! Bring your government issued IDs and leave your...