Kansas State Capitol

The Kansas State Capitol, also known as the Statehouse, has been a fixture on the Topeka landscape for over 140 years. Construction began in 1866 and continued for 37 years until the structure was completed around the turn of the last century.

At one time or another the Capitol has provided meeting spaces and offices for all three branches of state government. It has also been a focal point for state and national events and activities. Speeches, demonstrations, celebrations, performances and memorial observances have been held inside and outside on the grounds. The artwork and architectural beauty of the building have attracted many and sometimes angered some. Motion pictures have used the Capitol as a setting and artists have spent hours sketching, photographing and painting views of its interior and exterior. In many ways the Capitol and its grounds have served as our state's "town square" where the day-to-day life of our state is viewed in the actions of government as well as other Kansas citizens.

Ten years ago the State Legislature voted to begin the process of renovating the Capitol refurbishing the building as well as updating it for use as a vital center of government in the 21st century.

Renovation of the Kansas State Capitol continues. Recently the street just to the west of the Statehouse grounds was partially closed in order to set up a 340 foot high crane which will soon loom over the building. Workers will use the crane for exterior masonry restoration. Work on the building should continue for several more years and should when completed provide an open, accessible setting that will prominently display the beauty of the past mixed with the technology of the present.

We've assembled here some links to resources on the State Capitol, past and present with a glimpse into the planned future.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Kansas State Capitol
http://www.kshs.org/places/capitol/index.htm
(Information from the Kansas State Historical Society)
Includes:
--What you'll see
--Find out about our history
--Take an Online Tour
--Take a Historic Tour
--Take a School Tour
--Stories from the Capitol
--Real People. Real Stories
--Just for kids
--Just for teachers
--Guides to the Capitol
--Construction update

Capitol Tours
http://www.kshs.org/places/capitol/historic_tours.htm
(Tour schedules and contacts)

Guide to the Kansas State Capital
http://www.kshs.org/places/capitol/pdfs/guide_state_capitol.pdf
(A wonderful publication available online from the Kansas State Historical Society)

Kansas State Capitol Guide For Young People
http://www.kshs.org/teachers/classroom/pdfs/capitol_young_peoples_guide.pdf
(Great guide for school children from the Kansas State Historical Society)

Capitol Building
http://www.kansasmemory.org/category/2723
(Graphics showing original documents and pictures at Kansas Memory)

Kansas State Capitol
http://www.kansastravel.org/kansasstatecapitol.htm
(Information and photos from Kansas Travel and Tourism. Note the photo of the glass floor in the State Library, a favorite "walk over" by tours. The Library's site in the Capitol is currently closed for renovation but should reopen in 2012. In the meantime the Library has been relocated to a portable unit on the southwest corner of the Capitol)

Topeka Photo Tour
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/kansas_topeka.htm
(Includes some good photos of the Capitol)

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

John Steuart Curry
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/july-dec98/curry_8-13.html
(An interesting look at the artist who painted several murals in the Capitol and felt the ire of some Kansans because of his work. From PBS website)

The Dome
http://www.kansastravel.org/kansasstatecapitol2.htm
(From Kansas Travel and Tourism. Tours of the Dome have been suspended during renovation but you can see some great photos here)

Ad Astra Statue
http://cjonline.com/indepth/adastra/
(Articles from the Topeka Capital Journal about the placing of a statue on top of the dome)

Abraham Lincoln (seated) Sculpture - "Man Of Sorrow"
--Information
--Picture (photo by Carol Yoho)

Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial
--Information from Kansas Peace Officers Association
--Information from Kansas State Historical Society

Statue of Liberty Replica
http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-12-27/scout_to_restore_miss_liberty_wall
(An article from the Topeka Capital Journal about a Boy Scout's work in restoring the wall under the statue on the Capitol grounds)

Peter F. Felten, Jr. Statuary
http://www.kansasmemory.org/locate.php?query=felten
(Hays artist, Peter "Fritz" Felten, Jr. sculpted four statues of famous statues which grace the inside of the Capitol)

CURRENT RENOVATION PROJECT

Capitol Renovation
http://www.kshs.org/places/capitol/renovation/index.htm
(Information at the Kansas State Historical Society's website)

Kansas State Capitol Renovation
http://www.treanorarchitects.com/static/Statehouse/index.html
(Information from the architectural firm working on the Capitol)

Renovation History
http://www.kshs.org/places/capitol/renovation/history.htm
(Information at the Kansas State Historical Society's website)

JE Dunn Portfolio: Kansas State House
http://www.jedunn.com/portfolio/19/403356/
(Primary building company)

Article by: Bill Sowers
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