Missouri State Capital Tours

Jefferson City, Missouri

Wandering Wednesday, it happened again! This week we took along my brother Lindell and his wife Myrna to Jefferson City and visited the Missouri State Capitol building. We had planned this trip and had to cancel it twice before we actually got to go, so the excitement had built since April.

Whisper Dome

The plan was to tour the capital, climb up to the whisper dome, climb over the top of the whisper dome into the upper dome and then out on the open-air catwalk. As I entered the elevators I felt like Charlie Bucket, Grandpa Joe and Willie Wonka in the Wonkavator. I wanted to yell “up and out, up and out!”

Our tour guide, an interesting young man, explained the areas we were walking through as he went. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys as we ascended the last set of steps.

When you are on a tour and the guide pulls out keys which allow you into forbidden places, you know it is going to be a good one! – Lindell Huskey

Lindell was right on the money!

Our guide opened the plain white door without fanfare, but what our eyes were about to take in was amazing. As I stepped through the door, I couldn’t begin to guess the dimensions of the Whisper Dome, but trust me, we were way up there. When we walked up to the railing and looked over the side we could see the Missouri State Seal four stories below surrounded by what looked like little people, as small as Willie Wonka’s Oompah Loompa’s.

Stained Glass Windows

The blue stained glass windows above us let in beautiful shades of light as the sun bounced off the glass and the elegantly lit chandelier hung by eight golden chains in the center of the room. Our guide explained when a bulb burned out, or if the chandelier needed cleaned, the entire fixture must be lowered all the way down the 262 feet to the basement floor on a pulley system.

As we circled the dome we could actually hear each other talking softly on the other side of the room as if they were standing next to us. The acoustics were fantastic and I wished for a men’s quartet to burst out in song. I wanted to run in circles around and around the dome, but tried to contain myself.

Steps To Climb

Next we climbed about 350 + steps over the top of the whisper dome to the upper dome. Once again the guide pulled out a set of keys and once again the excitement built, wondering what was behind door number one.

As the door creaked open and we stepped out into the open-air I gasped in amazement. Those who built this capital over 105 years ago had the best view in town of the Missouri River. We stood in the 100 degree heat with our mouths gaping open and sweat trickling down our back, just staring at the city, the river and the people below.

Missouri River Views

We located the Jefferson City Bridge that spanned the sky above the Missouri River and looked down at the Governor’s Mansion and gardens located on Madison Street. We saw the airport and watched as a Chinook Army helicopter made a perfect landing. We observed people as they went about their day going here and there, not knowing their destination or their purpose.

We saw the St. Peter’s Church and St. Mary’s Hospital. The Federal Building and Supreme Court Buildings were also spotted from up top. What a thrill! What a privilege! What an opportunity! It was the beginning of an exciting day and we felt blessed.

As we headed back inside the huge capital dome and since we were not quite as high as we could get, but we’re as high as we were allowed to go, the guys drooled about the possibility of climbing that last few feet to the top of the building just to say they did. Our guide was not interested in getting fired today so we headed back down those 350 + steps.

It was fun to see the back side of such a beautiful building. Seeing the strong beams, wiring, pullies, stairs and even a little graffiti was interesting and noteworthy.

The Hall of Famous Missourians

Back downstairs we walked through the Hall of Famous Missourians which were filled with bronze busts. Some of those I can remember were Walt Disney, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Twain, Scott Joplin, Stan Musial, Emmett Kelly and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Missouri State Senate

We visited the Senate and walked among the desks where our Missouri State Senator’s do their best work. The front wall was covered with a huge stained glass of Hernando DeSoto and other early explorers and the oversized podium area had beautiful wood carved into various shapes and patterns. I felt the little girl in me rise up wanting to run my fingers over those big carvings, but once again, my shyness which had been hiding inside me since birth, would not allow me to, so reluctantly I pushed that thought from my mind.

Art Sculptures in Jefferson City, MO

Hundreds of pieces of art, stained glass and sculptures filled the capital building. This was an amazing building to spend time wandering through, either on a guided tour or by yourself. It didn’t disappoint my curiosity but sparked an interest in a little bit of history.

The capital tour is free to anyone wanting to make the trip. Your Senator can get you in touch with the man carrying the set of keys to help you get a behind the scenes tour of the Whisper Dome and outside the upper dome. You just have to be in shape for the climb.

What a great Wandering Wednesday adventure!