March 17, 2025. Montgomery Alabama.
After leaving Georgia, we towed our Airstream to Montgomery Alabama where we spent two nights. We toured the Capitol as well as The Legacy Sites. The Capitol is not open on the weekends, so we walked around the grounds and visited the Legacy sites on Sunday and then went back the next day to see the inside of the Capitol. You can see all three Legacy Sites for a mere $5.00 (The Legacy Museum, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park). Did you know the Confederacy was started here? We also visited the First White House of the Confederacy. Montgomery’s history is very interesting, as are the stories of those who monitor these sites. My book club just finished reading two books from the first person perspective of slaves who escaped and gained their freedom, so it was appropriately timed for us to see what I have been reading about. This blog will primarily cover the Capitol building, but I recommend seeing all of what Montgomery has to offer if you get the chance. You will learn a lot!
Montgomery holds one of the most beautiful grounds and buildings we have seen. All the government buildings surrounding the Capitol, as well as the Capitol itself, are solid white, well kept and manicured.
This “Moon-Tree” was planted on the grounds of the Capitol in 1976. Loblolly pine crown from seeds that journeyed to the moon with 1971 Apollo 14 Mission.
They don’t offer tours of the Capitol unless you come with a large group (mostly schools), so once again we were on our own. It turns out the building is no longer used for legislature. They have their own separate building (which you can also tour, but it’s just a bunch of offices). This Capitol is here for more historic purposes, basically a museum rather than a working government building like the others we have seen.
Alabama has had five capitals since it became a territory in 1817: St. Stephens, Huntsville, Cahawba, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery (where it has been since 1847).
The original rotunda has some interesting factoids. The interior finish was originally very plain. Ornate plasterwork, marble floor and vestibules to House and Senate Chambers were added 1906-1912. Murals depicting scenes from Alabama history painted by Mobile artist Roderick MacKenzie 1927-1930. Building was restored to circa 1930’s appearance.
The eight murals beneath the Dome illustrating Alabama’s history are seen in the video below. They were painted on canvas by one artist named above, and then mounted on the walls. It took him three years to complete them all.
The House of Representatives (1851-1985) was restored in the 1990s to its original state circa 1870-1890. It’s the site of the statewide convention which took Alabama out of the Union in January 1861. Trompe l’oeil ( fool-the-eye’) wall painting replicates scheme introduced in 1869. We didn’t know at the time Tim made this video that they really don’t do any work in here LOL.
A few other artifacts are found in the House Chambers. Two were of interest to me: The ART LAUREL STOVE #16 (c. 1904. Constructed of nickel and embellished with nickel relief and lions heads, the Art Laurel stove #16 was considered to be the top of line model in stove construction. A 1904 catalog described it as “the highest type of base burner construction, surpassing all other base burners in appearance, in heating capacity and economy of fuel.“) and one (of the few remaining) GARDNER CHAIR, (c. 1879. made by the nationally renowned furniture maker, Gardner and Compary of New York. After the furniture was in place, Secretary of State W. W. Screws praised the Gardner Company by stating that he “greatly admired (the furniture) for its strength of make and its handsome appearance.” On loan from the Alabama Department of Archives and History Montgomery, Alabama).
Next we visited the Senate Chamber (1851-1985). One oddity we witnessed was what appeared to be spittoons at the end of the front rows. It was this point where we wished we had a tour guide to tell us more about it.
The Senate was restored to its 1861 appearance, when southern delegates met here to organize Confederate States of America. You will see original “Egyptian” marble mantelpieces and the gallery columns were painted to imitate bronze. It has replicas of original desks and chairs, as well as oil-burning chandelier and column sconces. Period carpet was installed: 27-inch strips hand-sewn in traditional manner.
We walked down the spiral staircase to the first floor, which also holds a unique history. A formerly enslaved man, Horace King, was commissioned to design and construct these twin staircases. Enslaved individuals played a crucial role in building cities, bridges, railroads, and more, yet their contributions were often overlooked. It was meaningful to see his story acknowledged in the brochure.
To wrap things up, I’ll include a few random pictures of the Legacy Sites and contrasting First White House of the Confederacy. I’m thankful my family was not born into bondage, and we never had to endure the horrors of slavery. However, I think it’s important to note we are all born into the bondage of sin. We can only be free by accepting the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior. Regardless of our background, ancestry, race, or ethnicity, He is the ultimate unifier.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of Alabama’s State Capitol, and some of the history of Montgomery. Don’t hesitate to go there!
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In case you missed it, I write these blogs to glorify God. He is allowing me to live life abundantly even though I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. It’s only by His good graces that I am still alive today. I want to share the places we visit in addition to updates about my cancer journey as I know my many friends are traveling both journeys with me.
À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!