Old State Capitol Delve into the politics and everyday life of
the tumultuous 19th-century by touring this National Historic
Landmark that served as Kentucky's capitol from 1830 to 1910. In
the galleries of this stately building, witness the changing
tastes of 19th-century Kentuckians in "Great Revivals: Kentucky
Decorative Arts Treasures ," an exhibition that highlights five
stylistic design eras and the commonwealth's treasures from
those times. Estimated time: 1 hour. Visit the re-created 1850s
State Law Library in its original site or debate legislative
matters in the re-created 1850s House and Senate chambers .
Estimated time of historical building tour: 1 hour. All Old
State Capitol tours begin at the Thomas D. Clark Center for
Kentucky History. History of the Building Gideon Shryock, an
early Kentucky architect, designed the Old State Capitol when he
was only 25 years old. Shryock used architectural symbolism to
connect the vigorous frontier state of Kentucky with the ideals
of classical Greek democrac