Virginia State Capitol, Richmond

Name: Virginia State Capitol
Address: 1234 Bank St, Richmond, 23219, United States
Telephone: +1 804-698-1788

#4 among attractions in Richmond

Museum, History museum, Top attraction

Gallery (13)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0 / Ron Cogswell / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Martin Kraft / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Antony-22 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Smash the Iron Cage / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Homeranger / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Farragutful / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Varmin / URL

Facts and practical information

The Virginia State Capitol, a historical beacon in the heart of Richmond, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of American democracy. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, in collaboration with French architect Charles-Louis Clérisseau, the Capitol is a monumental example of the neoclassical architectural style that was inspired by the Maison Carrée in Nîmes, France.

Completed in 1788, this landmark is not only a hub for the legislative proceedings of the Commonwealth of Virginia but also a repository of history, having witnessed many pivotal moments in America's past. The Capitol holds the distinction of being the seat of the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, the Virginia General Assembly, first convened in 1619.

Visitors to the Capitol can embark on a journey through time, exploring the richly appointed chambers and historic artifacts, including a life-sized statue of George Washington sculpted by Jean-Antoine Houdon. The Capitol also features a thought-provoking civil rights monument on its grounds, titled "Voices from the Garden," which honors the struggle and achievements of notable Virginians in the fight for equal rights.

Guided tours are available, offering insights into the Capitol's history, art, and ongoing role in the governance of Virginia. The Capitol's Visitor Center, housed in the underground extension, provides interactive exhibits and a detailed narrative of Virginia's political and cultural evolution.

Alternative names: Built: 1785 (239 years ago)Architectural style: Palladian architectureCoordinates: 37°32'20"N, 77°26'1"W

Address

1234 Bank StDowntown Richmond (Capitol District)Richmond 23219 United States

Contact

+1 804-698-1788

Website

Social media

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Richmond

Day trips

Virginia State Capitol – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Richmond Coliseum, Virginia Washington Monument, Altria Theater, The National.

0.4 miN
Sport venue, Sport, Outdoor activities
Richmond Coliseum, Richmond
11 min walk • Richmond Coliseum was an arena located in Richmond, Virginia, with a capacity of 13,500 that was most often used for various large concerts. The arena opened in 1971 and the region is looking to replace the aging facility with a larger one.
~280 ftNW
Greek Revival architecture, Monuments and statues
Virginia Washington Monument, Richmond
2 min walk • The Virginia Washington Monument, also known as the Washington Monument, is a 19th-century neoclassical statue of George Washington located on the public square in Richmond, Virginia.
1.1 miNW
Theater, Architecture, Concerts and shows
Altria Theater, Richmond
30 min walk • The Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia, United States is a theater at the southwest corner of Monroe Park on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, and is the largest venue of Richmond CenterStage's performing arts complex.
~1240 ftN
Theater, Concerts and shows
The National, Richmond
7 min walk • The National Theater is a historic theater in Richmond, Virginia. Part of a city block along the 700 block of Broad Street once known as Theatre Row, it is the only surviving auditorium of the row.
~340 ftNW
Memorial
Virginia Women's Monument, Richmond
2 min walk • The Virginia Women's Monument is a state memorial in Richmond, Virginia commemorating the contributions of Virginia women to the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America.
~660 ftNW
Church, Sacred and religious sites
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Richmond
4 min walk • St. Paul's Episcopal Church is an historic Episcopal church in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Located directly across the street from the Virginia State Capitol, it has long been a popular house of worship for political figures, including General Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Davis was a member.
~400 ftNE
City hall, Gothic Revival architecture
Old City Hall, Richmond
2 min walk • Old City Hall, known formerly as City Hall, is the former city hall of Richmond, Virginia that was designed by Elijah E. Myers. It served as City Hall from its completion in 1894 through the 1970s.
~1220 ftNE
Museum, History museum, Art museum
The Valentine, Richmond
6 min walk • The Valentine is a museum in Richmond, Virginia dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond's history. Founded by Mann S. Valentine II 1898, it was the first museum in Richmond.
0.8 miNW
Museum, Art gallery, Performing arts
Gallery5, Richmond
21 min walk • Gallery5 is an arts center, museum, gallery, venue, and community space in Richmond, VA. It is located at 200 West Marshall Street in Richmond, VA, in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood.
~1100 ftE
Greek Revival architecture, Church, Historical place
Monumental Church, Richmond
6 min walk • Monumental Church is a former Episcopal church that stands at 1224 E. Broad Street between N. 12th and College streets in Richmond, Virginia. Designed by architect Robert Mills, it is one of America's earliest and most distinctive Greek Revival churches.
~820 ftNW
Church
St. Peter's Church, Richmond
4 min walk • St. Peter's Pro-Cathedral of Richmond, Virginia, United States, located at 800 E. Grace St. is the oldest Catholic Church in Richmond. From the erecting of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond in 1850 until the completion of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in 1906, St. Peter's Church served as the cathedral and seat of the diocese.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Virginia State Capitol?

Nearby attractions include Virginia Civil Rights Memorial, Richmond (1 min walk), Virginia Washington Monument, Richmond (2 min walk), Virginia Women's Monument, Richmond (2 min walk), Old City Hall, Richmond (2 min walk).

How to get to Virginia State Capitol by public transport?

The nearest stations to Virginia State Capitol:

Bus

A • Lines: 1A, 1C (6 min walk)
B • Lines: 1A, 1C (6 min walk)

Train

Richmond Main Street (10 min walk)