Today’s ride included visits to two capitols – the Mississippi statehouse in Jackson and the Louisiana statehouse in Baton Rouge. The former is a conventional building, completed in 1903 in the Beaux Arts Style with Indiana limestone on the exterior. The latter departs from tradition in that it’s central feature is an office tower rather than a Rotunda.
The house chambers were also different, as were the legislative sessions in each Capitol. The Mississippi house had adjourned for the year, whereas the Louisiana legislature was stil in session.
The interiors differed in that Jackson has an open central section beneath the rotunda that links the house, senate and governor’s office on several levels. The Baton Rouge interior is one tall hall, under the office tower.
The office tower, which replaces the conventional rotunda, makes the Baton Rouge capitol the tallest state capitol in the nation.
In terms of the active business of each house, the Mississippi legislature had some unusual items to deal with. One had to do with the use of state/ capitol police to supplement the city police force in Jackson. Another recent controversy involved replacement/ update to the Mississippi flag. At the Baton Rouge Legislature there was lots of activity underway. We noted a lobby effort bringing attention to STEM opportunities for young women.
The grounds in front of the Louisiana statehouse of extensive and well maintained. During our visit there was a field of American Flags placed in front – for reasons we did not discover. The views from the viewers gallery on the 27th floor were fantastic. Leaving us with a fine ending to another busy day of Capitol hopping.
