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Old State House (Little Rock)
Encyclopedia
The Old State House is a historic building in Little Rock, Arkansas
, USA
. It is the oldest surviving state capitol building west of the Mississippi River
. It is known best as the site of President Bill Clinton
's election night celebration in 1992.
The Old State House was commissioned by Territorial Governor John Pope
and was constructed between 1833 and 1842. Architect Gideon Shryock
, who had previously designed the Kentucky State Capitol
in Frankfort
, chose a Greek Revival style for the building. The original design was too expensive for the territory, so Shyrock's assistant George Weigart changed the plans and oversaw construction.
Both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly
moved into the building while construction was ongoing. In 1837 a fatal knife fight between legislators in the Arkansas House of Representatives
occurred in the legislative chamber.
During the American Civil War
the building was used by Union troops occupying Little Rock. During Reconstruction the building was an object of contention in the so-called Brooks-Baxter War
and the building was fortified during that struggle. The "Lady Baxter" cannon still remains on the grounds.
The building was used as the official state capitol until the new capitol building
was constructed in 1912. For a time the building was used as a medical school.
The Old State House was renamed as the Arkansas War Memorial and was used as an office building for federal and state agencies as well as a meeting place for patriotic organizations.
In 1947 the General Assembly approved acts designating the Old State House as a museum. The museum front entrance was the site of President Bill Clinton's presidential campaign announcement and the site of his election night celebrations in both of his campaigns for the presidency. The building underwent major renovation in 1996.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1997.
The building continues to serve as a museum with exhibits related to Arkansas history and culture. Permanent collections include Civil War battle flags, the inaugural gowns of governors' wives, Arkansas art pottery, and African-American quilts. Special exhibits are staged periodically as well.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the oldest surviving state capitol building west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. It is known best as the site of President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's election night celebration in 1992.
The Old State House was commissioned by Territorial Governor John Pope
John Pope (politician)
John Pope was a United States Senator from Kentucky, a member of the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky, Secretary of State of Kentucky, and Governor of Arkansas Territory....
and was constructed between 1833 and 1842. Architect Gideon Shryock
Gideon Shryock
Gideon Shryock was an American Greek Revival architect.Shryock was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, the son of a housebuilder and contractor, Mathias Shryock, who had moved to Kentucky from Maryland and who would father 10 other children in Kentucky besides Gideon...
, who had previously designed the Kentucky State Capitol
Old State Capitol (Kentucky)
The Old State Capitol , also known as Old Statehouse, was the third Capitol of Kentucky. The building in Frankfort, Kentucky served as the capitol of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1830 to 1910. The building has been restored to its American Civil War era appearance.The Kentucky legislature...
in Frankfort
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
, chose a Greek Revival style for the building. The original design was too expensive for the territory, so Shyrock's assistant George Weigart changed the plans and oversaw construction.
Both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly
Arkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
moved into the building while construction was ongoing. In 1837 a fatal knife fight between legislators in the Arkansas House of Representatives
Arkansas House of Representatives
The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 26,734...
occurred in the legislative chamber.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
the building was used by Union troops occupying Little Rock. During Reconstruction the building was an object of contention in the so-called Brooks-Baxter War
Brooks-Baxter War
The Brooks–Baxter War was an armed conflict in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the United States, in 1874 between factions of the Republican Party over the disputed 1872 election for governor...
and the building was fortified during that struggle. The "Lady Baxter" cannon still remains on the grounds.
The building was used as the official state capitol until the new capitol building
Arkansas State Capitol
The Arkansas State Capitol Building, located in Little Rock, is the main house of government of the state of Arkansas.-History:In 1899, the St. Louis architect George R. Mann visited the governor of Arkansas Daniel W. Jones, and presented his drawings of his winning competition design for the...
was constructed in 1912. For a time the building was used as a medical school.
The Old State House was renamed as the Arkansas War Memorial and was used as an office building for federal and state agencies as well as a meeting place for patriotic organizations.
In 1947 the General Assembly approved acts designating the Old State House as a museum. The museum front entrance was the site of President Bill Clinton's presidential campaign announcement and the site of his election night celebrations in both of his campaigns for the presidency. The building underwent major renovation in 1996.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1997.
The building continues to serve as a museum with exhibits related to Arkansas history and culture. Permanent collections include Civil War battle flags, the inaugural gowns of governors' wives, Arkansas art pottery, and African-American quilts. Special exhibits are staged periodically as well.