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Alabama State Capitol
Category: Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
600 Dexter AveMontgomery, AL 36104
(334) 242-3935
3 reviews for Alabama State Capitol
3 reviews in English
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Review from Dave S.
Milwaukee, WI
1/21/2008
I visited the Alabama State Capitol in the spring of 2005. It was my 11th State Capitol.
Alabama's Capitol is not going to knock you on your ass with its grandeur or opulance. But it will suck you in with its Southern charms and its fascinating history. It is because of this historical significance that the Alabama State Capitol gets five stars. It is, quite simply, the most interesting Capitol I have visited.
The Alabama Capitol's "money shot" is the view from the rotunda floor up into the inner dome. It is a jaw droppingly beautiful sight. The inner dome is wonderfully rendered in soft pastel colors, pinks, purples and yellows. The overall effect is one of pure class. This is a damn nice capitol.
While most of the legislative functions have long since left the Alabama Capitol to newer buildings closeby, the governor of Alabama still maintains his office in this building. The historic legislative chambers have been lovingly restored to their appearance during the Civil War era. In fact, it was in the Assembly chamber that representatives of the southern states voted to secede from the Union and form the Confederacy. It's pretty amazing to stand in the very chamber where this momentous decision was made.
The Alabama Capitol has been the site of many turning points in American history. On the front steps of the Capitol is a plaque marking the spot where Jefferson Davis stood to take the oath of office of the presidency of the Confederacy. Not far from this spot was where Martin Luther King stood 100 years later to deliver some of the important early addresses in the Civil Rights Movement. At the Alabama Capitol, a lot of different strands come together to make one fascinating, and beautiful, state capitol experience.Listed in: State Capitols!
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Review from Mark N.
4/10/2011
Architecturally this state capitol is rather ho-hum, nothing too special.. When you go upstairs and look at the rotunda from under and all the murals which surround it, you are seeing the only truly impressive architectural feature.. As other reviewers mentioned, historical context makes this quite interesting, as this was the first capitol of the Confederacy. It is also rather a strange place.. Most legislative functions are now performed across the street, so this place has become almost a museum, although some governmental functions and offices are still in the building.. Some visitors may find the place offensive, or perhaps even find it to be a monument to racism and segregation, but I guess it is all just history now, that is up to the visitor to decide.. There is a very large painting of former Alabama Governor George Wallace ( a segregationist and racist) hung prominently in the central hall. There is an enormous monument to the Confederate veterans of the civil war just outside.. There is a statue of what I believe is Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, outside also.. And plaques in both legislative chambers pointing out this is where Alabama succeeded from the Union and the Confederate States of America was formed.. The first "Confederate White House", where Jefferson Davis resided, is across the street.. All this effort put into honoring the Confederacy and a segregationist governor seemed a bit shocking to me, but I suppose it gives one a good understanding of Alabama history and of what the Civil Rights movement was up against in a place like this, so very interesting.. Visiting the capitol won't take long, because it is relatively small , which is why as a capitol it ranks very low amongst the many state and national capitols I have visited in terms of architectural splendor, but high in terms of historical interest.. The capitol is within walking distance of several other Montgomery attractions, such as the Civil Rights Memorial, so a must see if you are a tourist in Montgomery..
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Review from ann s.
Sioux Falls, SD
4/20/2009 4 photos
Five stars simply because of the historical events that have taken place in this building. Starting with the vote to form the Confederate States of America which occured in the senate chambers on February 4, 1861. Jefferson Davis was sworn in as the President of the CSA on the front steps of this building on February 9, 1861.
It was from these same steps in 1962 that Governor Wallace gave his speech which included these words "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" .
And it was to these steps that the Selma to Montgomery voters right march ended in March of 1965. (the marchers weren't allowed on the steps or into the building because of the color of their skin)
The building is open for self guided tours Monday through Friday or you can take a guided tour on Saturdays at 9, 11, 1 or 3 - we would highly recommend the guided tour - hopefully Aroine Irby will be your guide. He is a wealth of knowledge, both of a historical nature and on a personal level.
