Images of Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center
Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center and its collection
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One of the unique features of the Kansas State Capitol is its dome. Standing at 304 feet (93 meters), it is taller than the United States Capitol dome. What makes it even more special is that it is one of the few capitols in the United States that still offers tours to the top of the dome. This provides visitors with a unique opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Topeka.
The Ad Astra Sculpture: An Artistic Element of the Kansas State Capitol
The construction of the Kansas State Capitol took 37 years and was officially completed in 1903. However, it was not until 1988 that a design for a sculpture to stand atop the dome was finally approved. The sculpture, named 'Ad Astra', is a 22 + 2 ⁄ 12 -foot (6.756 m) bronze piece weighing 4,420 pounds (2,000 kg). It was installed atop the dome on October 10, 2002, adding a significant artistic element to the building.
Artworks at the Kansas State Capitol: A Cultural and Historical Significance
The Kansas State Capitol is also home to several significant works of art. In 1898, Jerome Fedeli painted frescos near the top of the dome in the rotunda. In the 1930s, John Steuart Curry painted murals on the second floor, including the building's most famous painting— 'Tragic Prelude'. This painting depicts an oversized and raging John Brown wedged between the warring sides of the American Civil War, flanked by flames and a tornado. These artworks add to the cultural and historical significance of the building.
ESCapitolio del Estado de Kansas
ITCampidoglio (Topeka)
FRCapitole de l'État du Kansas
ENKansas State Capitol
History & Anthropology Art & Design Historic house Person & Artist Religion