Old State Capitol Spatial Writing

          The Old Louisiana State Capitol is now "The Museum of Political History." There are many exhibits (mostly on the first floor) that provide context and detail Louisiana's history. There are small-scale models of different ships and many portraits of important figures from Louisiana history. In the museum, some relevant statues and flags can be viewed. It prominently features an interactive gallery of past governors of Louisiana, including Huey P. Long. There is also the attraction, "The Ghost of the Castle," which seems to be a dedication to the resiliency of the people of Louisiana. Guests watch a video featuring the ghost of Sarah Morgan Dawson, author of Sarah Morgan: The Civil War Diary of a Young Woman , which details the life of someone living in Louisiana during the Civil War. Allegedly, she is one of many ghosts who haunt the building today. Museumgoers can also stand at a speaking podium, select a speech, and listen to it play while footag...

        The House Chamber (above) and the Senate Chamber (below) were both locations that were used for important meetings. The House Chamber the place is where legislators met and eventually voted to secede from the Union in 1861 before the capitol building was taken over by Union troops. It is a large, open room filled with chairs placed in rows that are in three sections. There is a balcony, a stage, and a large stained-glass window that is at the front of the room.  The Senate Chamber is a large, mostly empty space that looks similar to a ballroom. There are large windows that overlook the grounds and simple chandeliers. The chamber caught on fire in 1906 and caused serious damage to the east side of the building and water damage throughout the entire thing that needed to be refurbished. The removal of the turrets during this time helped to signify to the people that Baton Rouge was no longer at war. It is also the room where balls that guests attend we...

     The second floor contains a rotunda, with the House Chamber and the Senate Chamber on the west and east ends of the building. It has black and white checkered tiling on the floors and ornate handrails around the staircase. The floor also features many arches surrounding the main room. Above the arches, there is a large, stained-glass dome that sits at the very top of the capitol. These features help to give the capitol a more modern and classy feeling, and they serve as focal points for the interior.  

  The reconstruction of the capitol building was finished in 1884. William A. Freret, architect and engineer, is credited with adding the fourth floor of the capitol. He was also behind the addition of the iconic cast-iron, spiral staircase, which is black with gold detailing, when the capitol was rebuilt after one of the fires that destroyed it. Freret also added the stained-glass roof and windows during the restoration. Because many did not like the building or its style and look, these features helped to elevate it to a higher standard and more complex architecture. These flashy additions to the building serve to catch a person’s eye and draw their attention. The bright, contrasting colors and intricate architecture stand out against the relatively plain exterior to hopefully intrigue the public and persuade them to come inside and explore. 

The old Louisiana State capitol, also called “Louisiana Castle” or “The Castle of Baton Rouge,” was designed by James H. Dakin and built between 1847 and 1852. I argue that the building has been a controversial part of Louisiana history because it has been inhabited by many divisive figures, such as Huey P. Long, who have made debatable choices regarding the state and its people, and it uses rhetorical devices, such as logos and pathos to persuade its customers. The capitol building was moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge because many representatives around different parts of Louisiana feared New Orleans having too much power. The land donated by the city of Baton Rouge for the building is the same land that some believe used to be marked by a red stick (giving the city its name). It stands on a large hill, overlooking the Mississippi River. During the Civil War, the state government was temporarily moved from Baton Rouge when it was taken over by Union troops. They used it as a pris...