There wasn't a lot of other tours of the Missouri Capitol at Jefferson City the day we were there. As a matter of fact, I don't think there was any other tours at this time. We did see a few other people here and there that were wondering around on their own. I had booked the tour online as they make it very easy.
So it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves! The legislators were off at this time and much of the building had rooms that were being remodeled while they were gone. Many areas had all the beautiful furniture outside the rooms in the hallways and new carpet rolls along the walls. In the following pictures you may see cheap looking tables and chairs in their places and floors all torn up without carpet. Some of the walls were being painted too. It was not a busy time for the legislators so we went everywhere and there were several offices open with aids and office personnel. We were invited inside more than once!
Governor Mike Parson was away so we went inside his office and to play! He was born in Wheatland, Missouri which is five miles from my home in Hermitage. He was sheriff of Polk County (Bolivar) which is where I spend a lot of time and money only 30 miles from my home. So I'm just sure he wouldn't mind my Czech Cousins and I enjoying his office when he didn't need it!
Governor Mike keeps a really clean desk!
I wonder if Cousin Lucie got online to say, "Ahoj!"to her friends in the Czech Republic!
Lucie, Paul, and Beti in the governor's office
Reception desk in the governor's office
I was looking for a 'fly on the wall' in this governor's meeting room but even a fly didn't show up today!
This metal sculpture was created by some Missouri State Prisoners especially for Governor Mike Parson recognizing his agricultural background.
Overview of the Legislature Room where all the state laws are made and bills passed or failed. Notice there's no carpet and all the cheap tables and chairs in place while remodeling at this time.
The Great Seal of Missouri is punched out with this antique manual machine.
We all got to create and take home a souvenir!
Beautiful antique water fountain is still working! It is located near this office.
We were hanging around wondering where to go next when the Aide in this office came out and was very welcoming. He let us in this office and then continued our tour as this was the place that our regular tour guide left us to wonder around for ourselves.
So I'm guessing Cousin Paul had some business to tend too!
I had mentioned to the Aide that we would like to see the Whispering Gallery located at the upper most part of the center dome. It is not usually a part of the regular tour but he seemed to have lots of time on his hands. I had been here a couple times while I worked for the state years ago and knew it would be impressive for my Czech Cousins. Getting to it was not as easy as all the other places in the Capitol Building. I don't know who showed it to me but it was likely some politician that wanted to impress some of us at the STC. I do remember I was impressed and did manage the old stairways in high heels back then!
Several flights of open metal stairs were climbed to reach the upper level of the Capitol Building and the rough unfinished interior construction could be seen.
Finally we reached the locked door and the Aide had the right key!
So the thing is that a person could whisper something facing a wall anywhere around this dome area and another person could hear it if their ear was on the wall on the other side. Of course, you could just holler across the open area and be heard just fine! I understand that the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. has this same structural phenomena but this whispering feature was not done on purpose. When the Missouri State Capitol was built, the feature was engineered to duplicate.
The view from this perspective is amazing at 200' from the top to the Great Seal of Missouri below.
This antique chandelier was about $5,000 new and was brought down to be cleaned a few years ago for the first time. Before it was completely lowered to get to it, it dropped and was damaged. It took about $500,000 to fix it!
Overview of the Whispering Room in the Missouri State Capitol Building
One side of the main level of the Capitol Building is a museum. This is an antique voting box.
One of the first legislatures desks
This modern voting box is located on each legislator's desk
Old Stage Coach
Old Bicycle
New Rented Car
The next day it was time to say goodbye to my Czech Cousins as they return the rented car to the International Airport in Springfield, Missouri and fly back to the Czech Republic. We make tentative plans to meet again on our 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2024 in Italy. I'm so happy we had this wonderful time together and they came to visit me!
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