Monday, April 11, 2016

OLD STATE CAPITOL

Wednesday, April 6…continued – After the great tour of the Dana-Thomas house, in Springfield, IL, we then drove over to the Old State Capitol.

old state capitol outside

Old State Capitol

Beautiful wooden staircases.
Old State Capitol

The building served as the seat of state government from 1839-1876. President Lincoln delivered his “House Divided” speech, “A house divided against itself cannot stand...,” in the Representatives Hall. On May 3-4, 1865, Mr. Lincoln’s body lay in state in Representatives Hall as a crowd estimated at 75,000 filed past to pay their last respects.

House of Representatives.
Old State Capitol

The Senate.
Old State Capitol

President Lincoln used the governor's rooms as a headquarters during his 1860 presidential campaign.

Old State Capitol

He tried several hundred cases in the Supreme Court. During this time period, there were only four judges on the Supreme Court.

Old State Capitol

Old State Capitol

He borrowed books from the state library, and read and swapped stories with other lawyers and politicians in the law library.

Law Library.
Old State Capitol

State Library.
Old State Capitol

This flag was carried during the Civil War by the 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment Volunteers. Ignore all the glare in the picture from the glass….it’s the meaning that matters.

Old State Capitol

Ladies Occupy the Senate Chambers
Old State Capitol

Old State Capitol

Beautiful ceilings.
Old State Capitol

Visitors are free to roam throughout the building at their leisure. The rooms are full of displays and pictures are permitted at any time. You should allow about an hour to tour the building.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!