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Tennessee State Capital

3/8/2016

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Believe it or not, when we woke up today, who would have thought we would be visiting a place with bodies buried in the walls, as well as on the grounds? We are not talking about a cemetery, but rather a municipal building in the center of Nashville. The state capital building is home to the governor, the state legislature, and is a National Historic Landmark. Completed in 1859 on a hilltop overlooking the city, this building looks like a Greek Ionic temple, and was constructed using commercial, convict, and slave labor. Interestingly, while Tennessee produced three U.S. Presidents, only one, James K. Polk, is buried on the grounds. Self-guided tours allowed us to leisurely explore the building...although from time-to-time, we did listen in on a couple of school tours. We've visited a number of municipal buildings during our travels and would have to rate this one within the top ten.

   state capitals/Tennessee.org

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The Tennessee State Capital building is considered the crowning achievement of architect William Strickland's career.
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Monument to Medal of Honor winner, Alvin York ...a home town hero.
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Beautiful frescoed ceiling with one of only three original chandeliers.
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Informational plaque in the lobby.
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Civil War era photo of troops protecting the state capital.
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Artist rendition of the State Supreme Court Chamber within the capital building.
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The actual State Supreme Court Chamber is currently used for special ceremonies.
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Located in the reception area of the governor's office is this original state seal machine.
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The State Senate chamber as seen from the balcony level.
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The 99 member House of Representative chamber.
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During a particularly bitter debate over ratification of the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1866, a disgruntled participant fired a bullet that chipped this handrail.
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Accomplished architect William Strickland designed the Tennessee State Capital building. This was considered his crowning achievement. As a tribute, the legislature had his body entombed within the walls at the north end of the building.
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At the south end of the building, Samuel Mogan, chairman of the Capital Building Commission, was entombed.
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The tomb of President James K. Polk is located in the east garden area.
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    Carl and Lorraine  Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.

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