The copper sheeting covering the outer dome turns green when it oxidizes. The inner dome is composed of glass panels. There are steps leading up from the fifth floor to the top of the dome and it's now possible to climb these steps again!
The capitol from ground floor to the top of the dome is feet, a few feet higher than our nation's Capitol in Washington, D. In , Richard Bergen's bronze statue of a Kansa warrior was placed on top of the dome. Named Ad Astra , the statue added 22 feet and 2 inches to the height. Beautiful statues and famous murals including ones by John Steuart Curry and paintings add to the beauty of the interior. Also, the elevator is one of the few hand-operated passenger elevators still used in the state.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in , restoration, preservation work, and new construction began in and will be completed in The Capitol occupies a acre site donated through the efforts of Cyrus K. We also examined the methods used in the refinishing. Most of the original construction was found to be sound, but some improper detailing had led to recurring failures. Exposure-related damage was noted, including metal that had been work-hardened and torn by wind, and battered by hail.
We confirmed the new patina was failing but did not feel comfortable recommending an appropriate alternate chemical treatment within the limits of current technology.
Available only at the Capitol Store , take home a piece of the old Capitol dome in the form of fine jewelry, art and collectibles made from copper that was removed. Kansas artists have created one-of-kind works of art from that familiar green copper that was part of the Topeka skyline.
Visitor Center. The new Capitol Visitor Center connects the new public entrance with the historic Statehouse and displays objects from the Kansas State Historical Society including John Brown's sword, the Wyandotte Constitution and photos of famous Kansans. An auditorium and classroom have been added to accommodate the many group tours conducted in the Capitol.
To make room for the visitor center, construction workers dug below the building to expand what was previously a basement. Watch for the transition from new, smooth limestone, to old textured stone as you walk into heart of the building.
Capitol Tour Highlights Take a free historic building tour or a free dome tour weekdays. Don't miss these 10 tour highlights! Dome The old copper dome, which became coated with a green patina over time, has been replaced with new copper, which will keep its shiny penny color for 40 to 50 years. Ad Astra A sculpture of a Kansa Indian warrior aiming an arrow to the North Star was placed on top of the dome in Dome chandelier Part of the stunning skyward view from the center rotunda, a replica of the original chandelier has been installed.
Representative Hall During the renovation, beautiful frescoed ceiling murals were discovered under layers of paint. The result is a splendid collection of stained glass, murals, carvings and statuary portraying Missouri's history, legends and cultural achievements.
In , the Missouri House of Representatives commissioned Missouri native Thomas Hart Benton to paint a mural on the four walls of the House Lounge, a large meeting room on the third floor in the Capitol's west wing. The mural at first sparked controversy among the legislators with its bold and vivid scenes of everyday Missouri life. Surviving attempts to whitewash it, Benton's "Social History of Missouri" is now a source of pride and a popular stop for visitors touring the Capitol.
Part of the original Capitol plans called for a ground-floor museum that showcased Missouri's cultural and natural history. Now operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources , the Missouri State Museum features exhibits , dioramas and changing displays.
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