Kansas Capitals: Topeka Capitols
House Chambers, State House, Topeka, October 24, 2010
—An event co-sponsored by Shawnee County Historical Society, WIBW Channel 13 and Visit Topeka.org
A good-sized crowd of about 100 history-lovers gathered on a pleasant October Sunday afternoon for discussion about the founding of the state of Kansas nearly 150 years ago (January 29, 1861) and about various capitals established in other cities in our state before settling on Topeka as the state capital. Attendees also learned about the Free State Capitol of Topeka, a building still located in the 500 block of Kansas Avuenue, about the building of our domed State Capitol, and about the current restoration project of our Capitol. After introductions by Master of Ceremonies Ralph Hipp, a welcome from Shawnee County Historical Society president Chris Schultz, PowerPoint slide shows and lectures by Don Lambert, Terry Bullock, Dick Bond, and Barry Greis, door prizes were distributed by Olivia Simmons of Visit Topeka, and our group divided into several smaller groups to tour the building and admire the renovation and restoration that has been taking place at our beautiful Capitol building
—Select a thumbnail to see the larger photograph—

Exterior and Grounds      
Building viewed through underground skylight Abe Lincoln with dome behind flowers, building, crane South lawn East wing renovation
Limestone carved bees and hive, south side, west wing Lentil Capitol grounds squirrel south facade
Presenters    
Don Lambert, presents the history of the Kansas Free State Capitol in Topeka Terry Bullock presents the story of all Kansas capitals Dick Bond talks of his vision for restoration of the Capitol building Olivia Simmons, Visit Topeka, presents door prizes
Barry Greis, Statehouse Architect, reviews the statehouse restoration initiative Mary Ward Baker is honored and speaks briefly Dick Bond presents Ralph Hipp, WIBW Channel 13, hosts
Vance Kelley, Treanor Architects, Principal in Charge of the Preservation & Restoration project, leads a tour of the House Chamber ick Bond Barry Greis and Vance Kelley, managing statehouse restoration Don Lambert Terry Bullock
Attendees        
Attendees 1 Attendees 2 Attendees 3 Attendees 4 Powerpoint visual Attendees 5
Foundation Level      
Limestone drilled for the splitting Underground arches support the weight of the structure Limestone foundation at stairway Underground passage 1 Underground passage 2
New underground office Office door Skylights let in natural light Stopping in one office New underground office space
Floors        
Marble floor House chamber carpeting Senate chamber carpeting Additional carpeting Supreme Court carpeting Marble flooring outside House chamber
Elevators & Stairs        
Old elevator Elevator shaft Capitol newel post Looking down a staircase landing at the top of a flight of stairs
Upper Levels & Rotunda Renovation  
Restored skylight Rotunda guard railing, space under construction Hearing about restoration in the higher levels Routunda just below the dome, under construction
Old Supreme Court Room      
Old Supreme Court window Light fixture and ceiling design Supreme Court meeting space American flag by a south window Wall stencil, Supreme Court space

Senate Chamber

   
Senate Chambers ceiling restoration Senate wall, windows, columns, ceiling Senate doorway Hollow column supports ductwork
Senate Chamber windows, north facade Senate Chamber window, south facade marble, arches and columns Air handling at the base of a Senate column Senate chamber door Decorative door hinge, deluxe
House Chamber      
House ceiling, fixtures, south windows wall Ceiling mural was painted over for years More mural work, House Chambers ceiling Gallery, ceiling, lighting in Housee Chambers Pink columns are faux marble
Ceiling overview, House Chambers Audience sits in House Chambers Touring House Chambers Representative voting system
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These photos are
by Carol Yoho
and Joan Wagnon

CITY & COUNTY PHOTO ARCHIVE

Focus on Preservation
Topeka & Shawnee County, Kansas
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