The Old Mississippi State Capitol, also known as Old Capitol Museum or Old State Capitol, served as the

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

statehouse from 1839 until 1903. The old state capitol was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1969. In 1986, the structure was designated a

Mississippi Landmark The following is a list of Mississippi Landmarks officially nominated by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and approved by each county's chancery clerk. The Mississippi Landmark designation is the highest form of recognition bestow ...

and became a

National Historic Landmark A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...

in 1990.

History

Construction

Although construction was initiated in 1833, there were problems with the architect and substandard materials. The original architect, John Lawrence, was replaced in 1836 by William Nichols, who oversaw completion of the 3-story structure in 1840.National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form (The Old Capitol)
Retrieved 2015-02-21. The exterior of the building was composed of brick, limestone, and stucco. A copper rotunda dome extended above the first floor. Wood was the principal material used for construction of the building's interior, with the exception of brick partition walls and

flagstone Flagstone (flag) is a generic flat stone, sometimes cut in regular rectangular or square shape and usually used for paving slabs or walkways, patios, flooring, fences and roofing. It may be used for memorials, headstones, facades and other con ...

s on the rotunda floor.

Occupancy

From 1839 until 1903, as Mississippi's statehouse, the old capitol was the site of several historical legislative events: * Passage of an

ordinance of secession An Ordinance of Secession was the name given to multiple resolutions drafted and ratified in 1860 and 1861, at or near the beginning of the Civil War, by which each seceding Southern state or territory formally declared secession from the United ...

in 1861. * Constitutional Convention of 1865. * Constitutional Convention of 1868, recognizing African American political rights. * Restoration of white rule in 1875. * Constitutional Convention of 1890, under which Mississippi is still governed. When construction of a newer

state capitol This is a list of state and territorial capitols in the United States, the building or complex of buildings from which the government of each U.S. state, the District of Columbia and the organized territories of the United States, exercise its ...

was completed in 1903, the old capitol building was abandoned and remained so until 1916, when it was renovated for state office space. By 1960, all state agencies had vacated the structure and it was again renovated to become the State Historical Museum in 1961. In August 2005, winds from

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was at the time the cost ...

peeled off sections of the old capitol's copper roof. Mississippi Government Buildings and Property
Retrieved 2015-02-21. About four weeks later, rain from

Hurricane Rita Hurricane Rita was the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Gulf of Mexico and the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. Part of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which included three of the top ten L ...

infiltrated the building and damaged ceilings, walls, and ornamentation, as well as historical artifacts. Storm repairs and renovations were completed between 2007 and 2009, and the museum reopened to the public. The Old Capitol Museum is administered by the

Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is a state agency. It is the official archive of the Mississippi Government. Location The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is located in Jackson. The William F. Winter Archives ...

.Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Retrieved 2015-02-21.

Gallery

File:Mississippi Old Capitol Building Feb 20 1940.jpg, Old Mississippi State Capitol; February 20, 1940 File:Supreme Court Chamber in the Old Mississippi Capitol building.jpg, Supreme Court Chamber in the Old Mississippi Capitol building. Desk for counsel for the appellee. File:Mississippi Old State Capitol Building Senate Chamber.jpg, Old Mississippi State Capitol House of Representatives chamber. File:Mississippi Old State Capitol building rotunda.jpg, Old Mississippi State Capitol rotunda. File:Senate Chamber in Old Mississippi Capitol Building in Jackson Mississippi.jpg, Old Mississippi State Capitol Senate Chamber

References

External links

Old Capitol Museum, at Mississippi State Department of Archives and History
{{Registered Historic Places National Historic Landmarks in Mississippi Museums in Jackson, Mississippi Former state capitols in the United States History museums in Mississippi Government buildings completed in 1839 William Nichols buildings Mississippi Landmarks National Register of Historic Places in Jackson, Mississippi 1839 establishments in Mississippi