Nashville - Capitol Building

Since the Capitol was closed on Sunday, we decided that we would see it this morning before driving on to Little Rock, Arkansas.  We walked up a lot of steps to get to the capitol building- only to find a sign that said you needed to enter at the back of the building.  Luckily we could walk around the building on the same level we were on.  Here are some views from in front and around the side of the building.

Once we got through security we noted the fresco's on the ceiling.  They tell the story of the territory and then the state of Tennessee.

The hall ways were interesting.

We got there just in time for the 10am tour.  So decided to so it.  The picture below depicts a lot of famous Tennessean folks.

 Then we went into one of the Chambers - not sure if it is the Senate or House of Representatives.

No grand round stair cases here - but when you use a fish eye lens it looks like it.

The ceilings are interesting.

The guide is now explaining about the damage to the staircase railing. There was particular disagreement on a certain amendment - to the point of gun fight.  I did not take a picture of the damaged railing with the fish eye lens - it would not have done it justice.  Our tour group seems enthralled.

After the guided tour, we decided to go back to get better pictures without having to fight the entire group.

On our tour there was a group of high school exchange students from Germany.  They were in the US for 3 weeks.  A couple of them were on the state of one of the houses taking pictures - the people in charge did not stop them.  So I took some photos from the speakers prospective also.

The desks all have the names of the representatives or Senators on them.

This was the gallery for the reporters.

In one room there was a circular staircase to the 2nd story- where you are not allowed.  With a dog motif.  Sorry I did not get a detailed photo.

Then we drove for hours until we reached - Arkansas!!!  The last of the 48 contagiousness states.