The Virginia State Capitol Building

The Virginia State Capitol Building

Standards of Learning

Background Information

The Virginia State Capitol has been a landmark of American government since its early days as the House of Burgesses in Jamestown. Since 1788, the General Assembly has been meeting at the Capitol building, making it one of the oldest public buildings in the New World. Designed by Thomas Jefferson in the Monumental Classical style, it has become the prototype for other capitol buildings, courthouses, municipal buildings, churches, and residences for over 200 years. It is important for our students, as Virginia residents, to see where our laws are discussed, written, and implemented. Students can also learn to appreciate the beauty of classical architecture and art in their own neighborhood.

Activities

Pre-Trip

• Students can come up with interview questions to ask the tour guide. Have students record questions in their Social Studies Journal.
• As a class, write a proposal for a bill that they would like to see debated.

During Trip

• Students can ask the tour guide their questions or see if they are answered during their tour. Students can record answers into their Social Studies journal.

Post-Trip

• Students can use classroom materials to make their own replica of the Virginia State Capitol building.

Accommodations

Students with special needs

Ramps, stairs, and/or elevators are available to provide direct access to the first floor of the historic Capitol, located at the upper end of the underground extension.

Elevators and stairs on the second floor are located next to the rotunda.

Virtual tours are also available --> virginiacapitol.gov/virtualtours

Lunch Accommodations

Meriwether’s Cafe (Open Mon - Fri 10am to 3pm)

If weather permits; outdoor benches and small park area

Number and Location of Restrooms

Six restrooms total (3 Male, 3 Female)

First restrooms located across from Capitol Gift Shop (first floor)

Second restrooms located between Senate and House Room 3

Third restrooms located next to the Senate Staff/House Speaker’s offices

Vocabulary

Capitol - a building occupied by a state legislature

Capital - the city or town that is the official seat of government in a country, state, etc.

Legislature - a deliberative body of persons, usually elective, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state; the branch of government having the power to make laws, as distinguished from the executive and judicial branches of government

Legislation - the act of making or enacting laws

Governor - the executive head of a state in the U.S.

Lieutenant Governor - the President and presiding officer of the Senate

Senate - an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation

House of Representatives - The lower house of the United States Congress. With 435 popularly elected officials, the House is the most representative body in the federal government. House seats are apportioned relative to each state’s population.

Accommodations Continued

SOLs/Objective

3.1 The student will explain how the contributions of ancient Greece and Rome have influenced the present world in terms of architecture and government (direct and representative democracy), and sports.

3.10 The student will recognize the importance of government in the community, Virginia, and the United States of America by

a) explaining the purpose of rules and laws;

b) explaining that the basic purposes of government are to make laws, carry out laws, and decide if laws have been broken;

c) explaining that government protects the rights and property of individuals.

The purpose of this trip is to give students a first hand experience on how their state government operates. Students will see where bills are debated in order to pass or veto them at the state level. They will also be able to observe and explore the building with its Greek inspired architecture.

Citations

Parking

Handicap Parking: Private vehicles with handicap plates are able to park and unload passengers on Bank Street near the new public entrance. There is no public parking on the Capitol Square grounds.

Public Parking: There are four free general public spaces (1 hour) on the north side of Bank Street. A limited number of metered public parking spaces (2 hours) are located on the west side of 10th Street, between Main and Bank Streets, and on Bank Street.

Motorcoach Parking: Three of four spaces are available on Bank Street between 10th and 12th Streets. Buses should not stay on Bank Street longer than 2 hours. Overflow bus parking is available at the Virginia War Memorial.

Pay Parking lots and decks: Parking decks are located nearby on 8th and Grace Street and 7th and Marshall Street.

1. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/

2. Virginiacapitol.gov -- Visitor's Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.virginiacapitol.gov/visitors.php?p=visitor_amenities

3. VA DOE SOLs Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/history_socialscience/next_version/stds_history3.pdf

Information

Address - 1000 Bank Street Richmond, VA 23219

Phone Number - (804) 698.1788

Contact Person - Jay Pearson (Sergeant at Arms and Information & Communications Services Director)

Length of Tours - One hour guided or self-tour

Hours of Operation

Mon - Sat 9am to 5pm

Sunday 1pm to 5pm

Last tour at 4pm daily

Entrance Fee - Free!

http://www.virginiacapitol.gov

Directions from Oliver Hall

1.6 miles, 6 minutes

• Head west on W. Main St toward S Harrison St 141 ft
• Turn left onto S Harrison St 0.1 mi
• Turn left on W Cary St 1.2 mi
• Turn left onto S 9th St 0.2 mi
• Turn right at E Grace St 207 ft
• At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit 351 ft
• Destination will be on the right

1000 Bank Street Richmond, VA 23219-3673

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