Missouri

Overlooking the Missouri River, the Missouri State Capitol looks like a typical capitol building on the outside, but the surrounding grounds are a standout. Inside, it’s even more beautiful. Learn more about the Missouri State Capitol history or plan your visit.

Explore the capitol grounds, which packs in a lot of history. The highlight is a monument to the Louisiana Purchase and Fountain of the Centaurs, which provides a great view of the Missouri River.

If you want to see the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives chambers, you may be disappointed. The House is viewable only through a small window at the door, and the Senate is only open during legislative sessions. According to a capitol staffer, if you are a Missouri resident, you can request a special tour of the House chamber by contacting your representative.

Inside, this Missouri State Capitol is a great mix of art and history. According to The Missouri Independent, “The art of Missouri’s Capitol offers a snapshot of the state’s past, and the themes filling the walls of the building can be seen in the composition of the state today. Artists dealt with environmental destruction and conservation, historical accuracy and sanitization, and competing state identities. The combination of artistic quality, stylistic consistency and innovation presents a canvas for understanding Missouri both then and now.”

The ceiling of the rotunda features murals by Sir Frank Brangwyn marking four historic Missouri moments: discovery, settlement, and more.

“A Societal History of the State of Missouri” by Thomas Hart Benton is a vivid mural depicting everyday Missouri life. It is featured in the House Lounge on the third floor, which is an extension of the House chamber. If you want to see this mural, arrive before 4:30 p.m., when it is locked for the day. (I learned this the hard way; special thanks to the kind gift shop staffer who took pity on a weary Texan traveler and unlocked it just for me.)

Missourians have made significant contributions to American history in politics, literature, and entertainment. The Hall of Famous Missourians is a bust gallery that honors distinguished Missourians, including Betty Grable, Walt Disney, Ginger Rogers, Josephine Baker, Harry S. Truman, and Mark Twain.

Despite the festivities, parking was easy a couple of blocks from the capitol, and I got to see the Missouri Governor’s Mansion on the way, which is beautiful. After visiting the capitol, I went to Arris’ Pizza across High Street on the advice of capitol staffers and had an amazing pizza.

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