Alabama State Capitol

Parking was incredibly easy, parked on the street for free in a space that was almost right in front of the famous Capitol steps. I’ve been to several State Capitols, and this had the easiest access to any of them, although this may be because nothing was in session, and the downtown area seemed pretty dead. The guard (big guy with a shaved head, wish I remembered his name) was really nice and told us where to go after we went through the scanner. Some of the offices, like the governor’s, are closed off, but you can check out the historical legislative chambers, and see the beautiful rotunda area.
When we were done, we headed around the corner to the 1861 White House. This is open a half-​hour later than the Capitol. It was apparently moved from its original location, but much of the furniture inside is from the family. It is free, and you self-​guide your way through the house with the help of a binder with descriptions of each of the rooms. The lady working in the gift shop was very helpful here.
MLK’s church is basically right across from the Capitol steps, so we were able to take a look, although it wasn’t open.
Must visit area, very interesting from a historical standpoint.

If you’re down in Montgomery you should know its free to walk around and explore the inside of this building. I’m really glad we made a stop here. The staff inside the building are super friendly and welcoming to visitors. When you first walk inside you pass through a small and quick security point with a metal detector and bag check. Be sure to really check out the interior of the rotunda while inside. It makes for great photos and has a lot of cool murals painted on it. Also, there are some other cool historic rooms to check out while inside along with pictures and sculptures of past governors.

There must have been a recent incident here because the state police were very uppity during my recent visit. I’ve visited 34 state capitols over the years and let me tell you the southern hospitality AIN’T at the AL capitol. Only in Trenton NJ did I feel almost unwelcome as a visitor, but in Jersey you kinda expect to be treated rudely. Not to say the cops there were rude, I just had never felt more uncomfortable emptying my pockets before entering the metal detector. This is typical practice in most capitol buildings, but the cop here was almost expecting me to pull out a weapon as his mannerisms showed anxiety. And don’t even venture near the governors office. Open in most capitol buildings, upon approaching the office here, the cop outside the office stands up assumes a ready stance with hand on weapon and asks me what I am up to. With my camera in hand, looking like a typical tourist I told him I was just looking around, to which his reply was ‘you ain’t goin no further’ or something like that. I just rolled my eyes and reversed direction. This is all very unfortunate as Alabama has great history, and otherwise I liked the architecture. These experiences left a bad taste in my mouth for the entire visit. You must think I look threatening by this point, but contrarily I am a middle aged white guy with greying hair with a slight build. Not sure what all the hype was about though.

Adding Montgomery Alabama to my collection of State Capitols. I was here briefly on a Sunday when everything was closed. But there’s enough to stuff to see on the grounds with lots of historical markers and statues. It’s an impressive structure with the large white dome and lots of white marble.
On top of the dome, the US flag flies above the Alabama flag. I’m sure there are lots of people around that would rather see a different flag on top. There is a marker nearby that notes that the flags have been this way since April 12, 1865. Three days after the surrender in Appomattox.

June 26, 2013, I arrived in Montgomery with my husband, daughter and her best friend. We parked the call and decided to walk around downtown Montgomery. This was my husband and my second trip to this lovely town.
Some History about the building itself:
The current capitol building was built from 1850 to 1851, with Barachias Holt as supervising architect.[4][7][8] Holt, originally from Exeter, Maine, was a master mechanic by trade. Following his work on the capitol he created a successful sash, door, and blind factory in Montgomery.
The new building utilized the brick foundations and general layout of Button’s previous structure, with modifications by Holt. The modifications included a full three-​story building over a basement and a three-​story front portico, this time without a pediment. Holt’s dome was a departure from the previous work also, this time the wood and cast iron dome was supported on a ring of Corinthian columns and topped with a simple twelve-​sided glazed lantern. John P. Figh and James D. Randolph were the principal contractors. Figh had previously completed extensive brickwork on the William Nichols-​designed campus for the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Randolph was in charge of the carpentry work, which was at least partially accomplished by subcontractors.[10] Nimrod E. Benson and Judson Wyman were the building supervisors.
The new capitol building was first occupied by the Alabama Legislature on October 1, 1851. The clock over the portico was installed in February 1852. The clock, along with a bell, was purchased by the City of Montgomery and presented to the state in 1852. In proportion to the capitol building, the clock appears as a square white box with black dials and crowned with a gabled roof. The dials are 10 feet (3.0 m) in diameter with 4-​foot (1.2 m) minute hands and a 3-​foot (0.91 m) hour hands. It has been criticized as architecturally inappropriate on various occasions since its initial installation. With the secession of Alabama and six other Deep South states and subsequent formation of the Confederacy in February 1861, the building served as its first capitol until May 22, 1861.[2] A commemorative brass marker in the shape of a six-​pointed star is set into the marble floor of the front portico at the precise location where Jefferson Davis stood on February 18, 1861 to take his oath of office as the only President of the Confederate States of America

I was amazed with how many historical things took place here, along with all of the markers everywhere giving you a quick blurb here and there. The building was closed, but I pressed on and had a good time.

Apparently a lot went down here. I am now just realizing the significance of this historic site.
Free to view on your own, the capitol features a rotunda with impressive artwork, a gift shop, dedication to fallen AL soldiers, and much more.
Metal detectors and a security guard are at the door, so know your bags will be searched.
The outside garden areas are also very well maintained. We were trying to figure out how the landscapers cut the grass on the steep slope. If anyone ever finds out, please let me know.
You will park on the street with parking meters, so make sure to have coins.

This beautiful and impressive capitol building is a must see if you’re in Montgomery. It is right across the street from the first confederate white house as well as the Civil Rights Museum. It’s easy to find parking in this lightly populated state capitol.

Architecturally this state capitol is rather ho-​hum, nothing too special. When you go upstairs and look at the rotunda from under and all the murals which surround it, you are seeing the only truly impressive architectural feature. As other reviewers mentioned, historical context makes this quite interesting, as this was the first capitol of the Confederacy. It is also rather a strange place. Most legislative functions are now performed across the street, so this place has become almost a museum, although some governmental functions and offices are still in the building. Some visitors may find the place offensive, or perhaps even find it to be a monument to racism and segregation, but I guess it is all just history now, that is up to the visitor to decide. There is a very large painting of former Alabama Governor George Wallace (a segregationist and racist) hung prominently in the central hall. There is an enormous monument to the Confederate veterans of the civil war just outside. There is a statue of what I believe is Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, outside also. And plaques in both legislative chambers pointing out this is where Alabama succeeded from the Union and the Confederate States of America was formed. The first «Confederate White House», where Jefferson Davis resided, is across the street. All this effort put into honoring the Confederacy and a segregationist governor seemed a bit shocking to me, but I suppose it gives one a good understanding of Alabama history and of what the Civil Rights movement was up against in a place like this, so very interesting. Visiting the capitol won’t take long, because it is relatively small, which is why as a capitol it ranks very low amongst the many state and national capitols I have visited in terms of architectural splendor, but high in terms of historical interest. The capitol is within walking distance of several other Montgomery attractions, such as the Civil Rights Memorial, so a must see if you are a tourist in Montgomery.

Five stars simply because of the historical events that have taken place in this building. Starting with the vote to form the Confederate States of America which occured in the senate chambers on February 4, 1861. Jefferson Davis was sworn in as the President of the CSA on the front steps of this building on February 9, 1861.
It was from these same steps in 1962 that Governor Wallace gave his speech which included these words «segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever» .
And it was to these steps that the Selma to Montgomery voters right march ended in March of 1965. (the marchers weren’t allowed on the steps or into the building because of the color of their skin)
The building is open for self guided tours Monday through Friday or you can take a guided tour on Saturdays at 9, 11, 1 or 3 — we would highly recommend the guided tour — hopefully Aroine Irby will be your guide. He is a wealth of knowledge, both of a historical nature and on a personal level.