Mississippi's Old Capitol Traditional Cache
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Mississippi's Old Capitol
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Located in the heart of downtown Jackson, Mississippi, this geocache sets you up to tour Mississippi's most historic building!!!
Originally called the State House, the Old Capitol has served numerous functions in its long history – state capitol from 1839 to 1903, state office building from 1917 to 1959, and state historical museum from 1961 to 2005. In 2009, New Old Capitol Museum re-opened after a three-year restoration with a mission to become a center for community activity by educating the public about the history, people, and architecture of the building, the governmental processes of the state, and the importance of historic preservation.
The building was authorized by the 1833 Mississippi Legislature shortly after the Constitution of 1832 ensured that Jackson would be the capital until at least 1850. After a failed start, the Old Capitol was then designed by William Nichols in the Greek Revival style. Construction took several years and cost $400,000. The construction of a capitol of such grandeur in a town with dirt streets and boardwalks and with fewer than one thousand people represented the bold vision Mississippians had for their young state.
The Mississippi Legislature first met in the Old Capitol in January 1839. While serving as state capitol, the building witnessed passage of key legislation, the adoption of two constitutions, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and visits by many influential statesmen. After sixty-four years as the seat of state government, the building was abandoned in 1903 when the New Capitol was built to provide more space for an expanding government. Through the efforts of women’s preservation groups, the building was saved from destruction and was turned into a state office building in 1917. Several state agencies, including the Board of Health, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture, called the Old Capitol home. In 1959 the building underwent its first major restoration to house the State Historical Museum which opened in 1961. For over forty-five years, the Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History presented award-winning exhibits and programs in this historic space. In 1990, the Old Capitol earned greater fame when it was designated a National Historic Landmark. Hurricane Katrina forced the museum’s closure in August 2005.
The Old Capitol, administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, is one of America’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. Interactive exhibits and audiovisual presentations engage adults and children alike. Visitors can learn about the fully restored Greek Revival masterpiece, the tumultuous events that took place within these walls, and the development of Mississippi’s government over the years.
The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturday, 9 am to 5pm & Sunday 1 to 5 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays. For further information, call 601-576-6920 or check out the website www.oldcapitolmuseum.com.
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