Georgia's Capitol

Welcome to Georgia's State Capitol
From cornerstone to gilded dome. the Georgia Capitol's
story is one of constant change. Here you will find the
rich diversiry of our state's land and people. If on!>' its walls could "speak" of those who walked its halls and occupied its offices. of events that ignited the Georgia political scene. and of changes that riveted the attention of citizens near and far since the Capitol first opened in 1889.
From the grand Rotunda to the beautiful!>, appointed House and Senate Chambers. Georgia history was shaped beneath this gleaming gold dome. The mUlti-year renovation process. now nearing completion. will ensure that the rich history of our state's Capitol will be preserved for generations of Georgians to come.
Duringyour visit. I hopeyou will take the time to explore
every corner of our state's Capitol bUilding and learn a
little more about Georgia's rich history in the process.
Ifyou are unable to join a gUided tour. please use this brochure to directyour way through the building atyour
own pace.
We are proud of our beloved State Capitol and hope
you enjoy your visit. Ifyou have any Questions or would
like to take a tour, please visit the Capitol Tour Desk located on the 2nd Floor or call (404) 656-2844.
Sincere!>'.
C3~(fi()

Hours, Location, and Contact Information
The Georgia State Capitol is open to the public 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and is closed on weekends and holid'!Ys. Guided tours are available Monday - Friday at 10 a.m., II a.m., 1p.m.. and 2 p.m. from April through December. While the Georgia Legislature is in session (January-March) or in the event of a Special Legislative Session, tours are offered at 9:30 a.m.. 10:30 a.m .. I p.m. and 2 p.m. During the academic year. most scheduled group tours begin at the Capitol Education Center. across the street from the Capitol. with a viewing of The Georgia State Capitol: A Symbol ofthe New South. an educational film detailing the history of the Capitol. To schedule a tour, call the Capitol Tour Program at (404) 656-2844. Walk-in visitors are welcome. The Capitol is located in downtown Atlanta at the intersection of 1-20 and 1-75/85, near Underground Atlanta. The World of Coca-Cola and the Five Points and Georgia State MARTA stations.
OJ;';~b~~
Distributed by the Office ofSecretary ofState Cathy Cox 214 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-2881 fax: (404) 656-0513 email: sosweb@sos.state.ga.us www.sos.state.ga.us

G-/t
57lJ()
. 111/ .260/
C3

I Office of the Se4retary of the Senate
Third Floor (353)

tt

Restrooms are located on the First Floor (east wing) and on the Third Floor (south Wing).

The Snack Bar is located on the First Floor (south Wing).

Elevators

I
, Georgia Capitol Museum Fourth Floor

0000

North

0

0

Wing

0

00000

, l'
Rotunda
--

0

0

0

0

I

South



Wing

I I

.!!'O 0 0 I l'

/

00

-~I-West bebbY-~---I---

o0

o

Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Third Froor (332)

-

Visitor's Entrance

Classical Renaissance design. completed in 1889 Height of Capitol: 272 feet 4 1/2 inches Height from 2nd noor to inner dome: 237 feet 4 inches Dome: 75 feet in diameter. covered with gold leaf Exterior of Indiana limestone, interior of Georgia marble Miss Freedom sits on top of the gold dome and holds a torch
and a sword representing freedom and commemorating the war dead. She weighs approximate!>' 2.000 pounds and is 15 feet tall.
First Floor
Hall of Valor. dedicated November II, 1999 House Information Office (131)
(Senate Information: 201 Legislative Office Building)
Second Floor
Executive Offices: Office of the Governor (203) Office of the Lieutenant Governor (240) Office of the Secretary of State (214)
Tour and Information Desk Portraits of former governors on outer ring
Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.. civil rights leader and
Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
North Wing
The statue of Benjamin Harvey Hill was the first to be placed in the capitol.
A bust of James Edward Oglethorpe. Georgia's founder. is a gift from Great Britain and is found on the landing of the grand staircase.

South Wing
A memorial to Mary Lattimer McLendon, the leader of the suffrage movement in Georgia and a pioneer in the temperance movement, is located in the south wing of the Capitol.
Rotunda
The Rotunda area houses the oldest portraits in the Capitol (top row) original!>' located at the capitol in MilledgeVille. Starting at the southeast corner. the portraits and busts include:
Top row
George Washington (1732-1799) U.S. President, 1789-1797
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) AppOinted as Georgia's colonial agent to Britain in 1768
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) U.S. President. 1800-1808
MarQuis de Lafayette (1757-1834) French general who helped colonies gain independence from British rule
Bottom row lames Edward Oglethorpe (1696-1785) Georgia's founder landed at Yamacraw Bluff (near modern day
Savannah) on February 12, 1733
Robert Toombs (1810-1882) U. S. Senator Secretary of State. Confederate States of America Principal architect of Georgia's post-Reconstruction constitution in 1877

Benjamin Harvey Hill (1823-1882) State Representative State Senator U.s. Congressman
Alexander H. Stephens (1812-1883) U.S. Congressman Vice-President of the Confederate States of America Governor of Georgia, 1882-1883
Busts
Archibald Bulloch (1730-1777) First President and Commander in Chief of Georgia and a leader of the Revolutionary Movement in Georgia
Benjamin Hawkins (1754-1816) Indian Agent, 1796-1816
Abraham Baldwin (1754-1807) One of Georgia's signers of the U.S. Constitution
William Few (1748-1828) One of Georgia's signers of the U.S. Constitution
George Walton (1749-1804) One of Georgia's signers of the Declaration of Independence
Button Gwinnett (1732-1777) One of Georgia's signers of the Declaration of Independence
Lyman Hall, M.D. (1724-1790) One of Georgia's signers of the Declaration of Independence
William H. Crawford (1772-1834) U.S. Senator U.S. Minister to France

Third Floor
Legislative Floor - House of Representatives Chambers (west wing) - Senate Chambers (east wing) - Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives (332) - Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives (309) - Office of the Secretary of the Senate (353) - Appropriations Room (341)
Portraits and busts of famous Georgians and notable Americans
Fourth Floor
Georgia Capitol Museum Public Gallery entrances to House of Representatives and Senate
Architectural drawing ofCapitol courtesy ofthe Historic American Buildings Survey, Lord Aeck & Sargent, Inc. Architects
Background photo ofcapitol, museum cases, selected interior photos provided by George S. Whiteley, IV
House and Senate photos by Edwin L. Jackson, Carl Vimon Imtitute ofGovernment, University ofGeorgia
Photo ofCathy Cox provided by Wityne Parham Additionalphotos and graphics provided by Capitol Education Center
and Georgia Capitol Museum Special thanks to Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Inc. Architects
Brochure design by Bobby McVey, BMc Graphics