Old State Capitol

If you stop and listen you can almost hear the history of the building. Very grand stairway in the middle of the building. The ceilings were high, but yet the building was very quiet.

This is a beautiful old building, and the visit here won’t cost you one red cent. The tour was free, also. It just gives one a better appreciation for history – where we’ve been and where we’re going. I loved the statue of Douglas. It is amazing how they retrofitted the building to its original form by removing an entire floor.

This place is pretty cool. For those of you who study state politics, you can see how state politics worked in the 19^th century!
For example, you can see the state house room, the state senate room, the committee room, the state supreme court room, the state auditor, the state treasurer (actually you don’t see much in there, it’s a gift shop!), and other exciting rooms of state government.
Again, STATE GOVERNMENT!!! But 19^th century style!!!

OK, maybe it’s cuz this place looks so foreboding, or also perhaps it’s cuz you don’t see ppl walking in and out of here (which might subconsciously keep you away), but this place doesn’t seem to get its fair share of love!
I love the simpler architecture here over the current state capitol building, nor does it look like its in the best shape, so perhaps, more ppl visiting might generate some donations.
While I was there, the place was practically empty, yet getting prepped for a private party. I was greeted with two super friendly docents, who didn’t apply any implied pressure, yet gave me free reign to meander.
Even more so than the Abe Lincoln Museum, his home, or the current state capitol building, you get the greatest sense of history here —
1. It was in-​use until 1876, so this was the capitol building that President Lincoln was most connected to.
2. This is where Lincoln delivered his ‘House Divided’ speech, and is also the site of President Lincoln’s final laid-​to-​rest state before he was interred.
Lastly, the size of the place was perfect, subtle, and not overwhelming like the presidential museum was. Also, I highly recommend this place over the current State Capitol building.
‘Twas free, yet donations were recommended.

I love art and history. I never seem to get enough of the two in my busy busy life. The building has been rebuilt but has many of the original interior furnishings and is genuine to the period. The nostalgia and importance of this building can be felt as one tours the building.

What a wonderful historic tour. The volunteers were so friendly and helpful. It’s like stepping back in time when you walk through those doors. A must see when in Springfield.

Right in the middle of Down town Springfield is the Old State Capital while it serves no government purpose anymore it is free to visit and you have two options a self guided tour (but you do not get access to the all the rooms or the guided tour.
We arrived just after a guided tour started and the greeter told us if we hurried we could catch up to them and not miss more than the introduction. The tour starts off in the House chamber and goes through to the all the main rooms up to the senate chamber. Every room is loaded with stories and not just state history but national history which kept it exciting start to finish.
Why four stars you might ask well they leave out a few things, such as the civilian viewing balcony above both chambers and they hold Lincoln in two high of esteem to say any neutral or negative comments about him the election or anything else for that matter so it leave out a lot of facts that I feel should be included.
You can park on the street for the price of about $ 0.50 and have enough time on the meter for the full tour make sure you pay the meter or it is a $ 10 fine (I know from experience) right across the street is the old train station which has been converted to a visitors center and it is kiddy corner from the Lincoln Museum and Library.

While the visit began inauspiciously it turned out great! We were a party of three and entered the capitol just before 10:00am on a summer Thursday. There was a volunteer seated at the door who told us that we could enjoy the cool air and feel free to look around. There was no literature around to aide us in a self guided tour and there did seem to be lots to see that need some explanation. So we inquired about the tour times. She had no idea but started asking other employees what they knew. Turns out, I think, cause nobody was ever very clear that the first tour was scheduled for 10:30. But that said, one of the employees, a young woman dressed in 1860’s clothing, volunteered to give us a private tour (no charge) right away. As other tourists entered the building they were invited to tag along, which was great!
Our tour guide, a college student, was remarkably knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Lots of interesting details were provided and delivered in an attention getting manner. Highly recommend taking the time to have a look around!

I didn’t have much time to look around whilst in Springfield, and only saw the capital building in passing. It’s a very beautiful building, and the architecture is superb. Will update my review if I make it down there and get to fully tour the site.

The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, in Springfield, Illinois, is the fifth capitol building built for the U.S. state of Illinois. It was built in the Greek Revival style in 1837 – 40, and served as the state house in 1840 – 1876. It is the site of candidacy announcements by Abraham Lincoln in 1858 and Barack Obama in 2007.
We stepped into the Old Capital thinking we’d just pass through to warm up, but we were greeted by the friendly staff and decided to go ahead and explore a bit. It’s an interesting look at government life in Lincoln’s time. The museum is very well kept and worth a visit.

The Old State Capitol was rebuilt in the 60s (I think) in the assumed image of the original, based largely upon narratives describing the original structure. The room that at one time served as a reception room for the Governor may be the most accurate; when Abraham Lincoln was running for President, the Governor allowed him to use the room as a campaign headquarters. Lincoln was visited by someone from the newspaper, who sketched the room to include in the story; the room now has been redesigned based upon that drawing, down to the carpet design, placement of wall decorations and the shape of the clock in the room!
Unfortunately, there was a wedding taking place in the chamber, so we were unable to visit those rooms; I suppose that is for another trip.