STATEHOUSES OF LOUISIANA

The story of the Old State Capitol cannot be told without reflecting on Louisiana's former statehouses and the events that led to the selection of Baton Rouge as the capital city.

Background

For more than 120 years, Louisiana's state capital has remained in the same city: Baton Rouge. This has not always been the case. Since Louisiana became a state in 1812, the capital has occupied 13 distinct buildings in five different cities.

This exhibit follows the capitol as it moved about the state and explains the reasons behind each move. The exhibit then turns to the Old State Capitol itself, its heritage, the architects that built it and the stories connected with it. Emphasis is placed on the political, cultural and social importance of each location as well as the Old State Capitol's unique political, historical and architectural legacy.

This exhibit requires Adobe Reader. You can download a free copy here.

Statehouse Map

Use our interactive map to explore the story of Louisiana's capital cities. 

Map Activities 

• Create an imaginary person who might have lived in one of Louisiana's capital cities during the time the statehouse was located there. Write a story about what life might have been like in Louisiana during that period. Send a copy of your story to
  education@sos.louisiana.gov for a chance to have your story featured on our Web site.
• Plan a virtual trip in which you visit one or more of Louisiana's historic capital cities. Use the Internet to locate maps and plan your route, find local restaurants and places to stay, as well as identify interesting things to see and do.
• Take a Louisiana Capital Cities family trip to visit one or more of Louisiana's historic capital cities. We are interested in hearing about your Louisiana capital cities family trip! Send an email to education@sos.louisiana.gov.
• Create a podcast of your Louisiana capital cities family trip. Send a copy to education@sos.louisiana.gov for a chance to have your podcast featured on our Web site. 

Statehouse Timeline

Explore a chronological account of Louisiana's statehouse history.

Timeline Activities

• As you explore our statehouse history timeline, make a list of nationally significant events that occurred during each period of Louisiana history. Think about the ways Louisiana leaders and events affected national and international history.
• Investigate the U.S. presidents who served during each period of Louisiana's statehouse history.
• Create a timeline that parallels major events in American and Louisiana history. Send a copy of your timeline to education@sos.louisiana.gov for a chance to have your timeline featured on our Web site. 

Louisiana Governors

Learn about the governors who served in each of Louisiana's statehouses.