Frankfort, Kentucky Frankfort, STATE CAPITOL STATE The Legislative Branch of Kentucky State Government: KENTUCKY Like most states, Kentucky has a bicameral legislature - that is, one with two of the of components. The “lower” and larger body is the House of Representatives; the “upper,” A Self–Guided Tour Self–Guided A smaller body is the Senate. The Speaker of the House presides over that chamber, 14 13 15 18 and the President of the Senate chairs deliberations there. Other legislative officials 16 include the House and Senate majority and minority leaders. Together, the House and Senate are known as the Kentucky General Assembly. The General Assembly meets in regular session for sixty working days in even years, and for thirty working days in odd years. The governor of Kentucky can call Special Sessions to address specific issues. Legislative chambers and offices occupy the third floor of the Capitol. 17 SECOND FLOOR – JUDICIAL BRANCH 131. From the top of the steps on the second 163. Supreme Court. Feel free to enter the floor, observe the view of the nave, or room when court is not in progress. Main corridor. With its Hoduran mohogany paneling and This spectacular space is over 300 feet Dutch metal leafed ceiling lacquered to long. It is lined with 36 huge, one piece resemble bronze, it is one of the most 20 19 columns made of Vermont granite. Note impressive and dignified spaces in the the colorful art skylights and grand Capitol. staircase. 174. State Reception Room. (Please help us Also from here you can see the murals in preserving this room by remaining on the in the lunettes on either end of the nave. carpet runner.) Painted by Gilbert White, the murals depict moments in the early history of Kentucky. Perhaps the most elegant room in the Capitol, the state reception room was 141. The one over the East wing is a intended as a place for special events and THIRD FLOOR – LEGISLATIVE FLOOR representation of Daniel Boone’s first view as the reception area for the governor’s of the Bluegrass region, or “beautiful level office, originally next door. Inspired by 191. Senate chamber (on the West end of the 201. House of Representatives. You may enter of Kentucky,” in 1769. grand salons in European palaces, the building) . You may enter the Senate if the the House chamber if it is not in use. At times the Capitol may be under room was restored in 1995 to its original chamber is not in use. repairs to ensure that it remains 152. The mural to the West shows Boone and grandeur. The placement of the mirrors The House of Representatives, like the a proud symbol of Kentucky. Richard Henderson concluding the Treaty on either end of the room creates the Raised galleries allow the public to view Senate, also includes spectator galleries Portions of the building may be of Watauga in 1775 which allowed the illusion of an infinite view, like that in the the Senate’s deliberations during legislative and desks for members. However, with closed to tours. Please accept our Transylvania Company to purchase much Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles in sessions. There are desks for thirty-eight 100 members, the size of the House apology for any inconvenience. of the land that is Kentucky from the France. senators, who also have individual offices in requires some additional features. Votes Cherokee Indians. the Capitol Annex. are recorded electronically and displayed 185. Stepping outside of the State Reception on panels on either side of the Speaker’s On the second floor of the Capitol you will Room, a small chapel, press offices, and Please proceed to the other end of the third desk. Each member of the General notice many paintings. These are portraits the office of the Chief Justice (not open for floor - the East end. Assembly has a desktop computer. of Justices of the Kentucky Supreme Court tours) are on the West end of this floor. and judges of the former Court of Appeals. State Song (adopted by legislature 1986) “My Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster Why is Kentucky called a “Commonwealth”? Capitol vs. Capital. A capitol is a building In this country, “commonwealth” is used as a headquarters of a government. The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky Home, Chorus another word for “state”. The term implies A capitol houses legislative chambers and ‘Tis Summer, the people are gay; a commitment to the “commonweal,” or may also have courtrooms and government The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom Weep no more my lady Printed with State Funds (KRS 57.375) common good of the people. Several states offices. A capital is a city that is the seat of While the birds make music all the day Oh weep no more today; by the Kentucky Department of Travel (Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, government of a state or nation. This building The young folks roll on the little cabin floor, We will sing one song in addition to Kentucky) call themselves is a capitol. Frankfort is a capital. All merry, all happy and bright; for My Old Kentucky Home The Commonwealth of Kentucky does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex and religion, age or disability in commonwealths. Since Kentucky was formed By ‘n’ by hard times comes a knocking at the door For My Old Kentucky Home, employment or the provision of services and provides, upon request, from Virginia, our state’s founders decided to Then My Old Kentucky Home, good night far away reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. use the term too. Welcome to the Capitol of Kentucky! CAPITOL GROUNDS & CAMPUS South The sculpture on the pediment above the begun in 1961, the garden has about 500 rose Kentucky’s Capitol is the fourth permanent entrance was the work of sculptors Charles H. bushes representing some twenty - two Governor’s building to serve in this capacity since the Niehaus and Peter Rossack. The central figure varieties of roses. Office Commonwealth was given statehood in 1792. represents Kentucky and the attendants 7 After a 1904 ground breaking and six years of represent Progress, History, Plenty, Labor, and On the East end of the Capitol grounds is construction, the first session of the legislature Art. The animals emphasize agriculture. The the Executive Mansion, home of Kentucky’s 4 5 was held in this building in January 1910, figures to the left are tying faes, symbolizing governors while they are in office. Designed 11 8 East 2 West Frank Mills Andrews, a distinguished and strength in unity. To the right are “Indians, in 1912 by the C.C. and E.A. Weber firm of 12 3 6 9 award-winning architect, designed the Capitol crouching with fear and watching the approach Fort Thomas, Kentucky, the building’s exterior 11 1 8 in the neoclassical Beaux Arts style. of civilization,” as the building’s first custodian resembles Queen Marie Antoinette’s Petit Start Here 10 described them. Trianon villa at Versailles. The formal garden Lt. Governor’s The building is almost 403 feet long and in front of the building was planted as part Office 180 feet deep. The exterior base is made of Famed landscape architect Frederick Law of an extensive renovation of the mansion Vermont granite, but most of the exterior is Olmstead’s son John Olmstead of the Olmstead and its grounds during the early 1980s. Bedford limestone. Seventy columns surround Brothers firm developed a plan for the Capitol the building. The covering of the dome is terra grounds in 1905, however due to mounting Several commemorative trees have been North cotta, and the top of the lantern is 215 feet costs it appears much of the details of the plan planted on the Capitol grounds in honor of above the level of the terrace. were never fully realized. The promenade distinguished people. Small plaques mark FIRST FLOOR – EXECUTIVE BRANCH extends northward from the Capitol. This area many of these trees. Gray wall-mounted directional signs throughout provides space for demonstrations and public 1 The rotunda is highlighted by an imposing 9 the building will aid you in finding your way events, including inaugural ceremonies for Furthermore, several trees were planted on dome which is 180 feet above you. around the Capitol. Kentucky governors. The large evergreen the grounds in commemoration of Arbor Norway spruce tree to the left is Kentucky’s Day during the Wilkinson and Jones The statues in the rotunda are: Busts or plaques of these notable state Christmas tree. administrations. Among them are Kentucky Kentuckians can be found near the West Coffee trees, the State Heritage Tree. Strict 2 Abraham Lincoln - President of the United Entrance: Things to look for: The large office building in the rear is the regulations govern the planting of States during the Civil War, he was born Capitol Annex, dedicated in 1952. Its design commemorative trees on the Capitol near Hodgenville, Kentucky, in 1809. • John Sherman Cooper - once called State Seals - Kentucky’s state seal and Bedford limestone exterior mimic the grounds. “the ablest Republican” in the United features two men shaking hands. The appearance of the Capitol. At the West end of 3 Henry Clay - A frequent candidate for States Senate, Cooper represented seal illustrates our motto, “United We the Annex is the Kentucky Floral Clock. Built in For more information about the Capitol, the president, Clay was Kentucky’s most Kentucky in that body for twenty years Stand, Divided We Fall.” If you look 1961 with financial help from the Garden Clubs grounds, and the Executive Mansion, or to celebrated 19th-century statesman.