Charleston Capitol Building

I have been to the Capitol many times but never thought about writing a review. My family had a wonderful visit over the weekend while we were in town for a visit. The grounds are well manicured and the huge mature oak trees provide plenty of shade to walk around and check out the sites. The squirrels are very tame and scurry about feasting on the acorns. The gold dome of the capitol attracts a lot of attention but the ornate details of the architecture on the inside and outside should not be missed. Check out the hand carved designs at the top of each of the stone columns. Do not miss the view of the Kanawha River from the front of the capitol and you can even cross the street to access some steps that will take you down one level to the Riverwalk Trail and then another level down to the water. While at the front check out the Abraham Lincoln statue. On the opposite side of the building is a beautiful large fountain and a Liberty Bell replica. The War Memorial is also not to be missed. The statues capture the look of the service members well and the reflecting pool gives you a chance to do just that, reflect on the sacrifice of our service members. Another statue is dedicated to the life of the WV coal miner. The capitol is a great place to visit and we will continue to return. The only downside to the capitol grounds, not just inside the buildings but anywhere on the grounds, and the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that they are not gun carry friendly, even for concealed carry permit holders.

A stunning golden dome towers over the other buildings in the area as you approach on the freeway. Beautiful indeed. I entered the grounds to see what monuments, museums and historical points of interest I could discover. What a wonerful gold mine of history for all. The people of West Virginia must be very proud of this capitol. I will cover the monuments and museum and governors mansion in other reviews. For now lets look at just the capitol. Lucky me, just happened to come in on Golden Horseshoe day. A special event honoring the top academics in the eighth grade. Youths and their parents had come from all over the state to participate. Wow1 sSo the State Senate room and the State Assmebly room was open for tours, However I get ahead of myself. The front of the building and the plaza are so beautiful. The steps leading into the capital are reagal in quality, and it has the same feeling as the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Incredible. The Main lobby and dome are elegant and spacious and really define the era when this building was created. The halls are adorned with past governors and important historical figures, from the West Virginia viewpoint. In the State assembly room the Clerk of the House was there to meet and greet everyone, and he was most charming and full of stories and more. Thank You Stephen J. Harrison. Now because there was a bid party going on tours were everwhere and big buffet lunch for all. Now I can’t guaranttee that you will come upon such a wonderful event, however the building and its fixtures are a joy to see. Be sure to go out the other side of the building along the river and see the Lincoln Statue.
On the grounds are memorials for women veterans, West Virginians lost in war, the Civil War, the Governors Mansion, Booker T Washington, and the Cultural Center Museum, and probably a few things I missed. Enjoy the facility, and be sure to stop whence you come to Charleston.

I just walked right in and helped myself.
I have never been to a capitol in which there was no one to greet visitors, show what is available for viewing, or at the very least, scan you for weapons.
Of course the highlight is the gold dome.
But also, on the outside, memorials to coal miners and war veterans of WV is also available.
Pretty trees.

West Virginia was the 35^th state to join the Union, after splitting out from Virginia during the Civil War. Slavery, donchaknow. Today, it is the 38^th largest in terms of population and 41^st in terms of land area. The capital, of course, is Charleston and the landmark Capitol building sits along the riverbanks. You can’t miss it, because the entire dome is covered in gold. Quite literally, it is gilded in 23 karat gold.
An absolutely stunning building. If you’re in town, or just zipping past on I-​64, I-​77 or I-​79, stop for a picture at least!