Kansas State Capitol

The Kansas State Capitol is one of the most important buildings in the state; it is the seat of the state's government, housing the Kansas House of Representative and the Kansas State Senate chambers, as well as the governor's office and the state library. The building was designed by John G. Haskell and the cornerstone was laid on October 17, 1866. Construction took 37 years and was officially completed March 24, 1903. The total cost was $3,200,588.92. The State Capitol building and grounds are home to several pieces of artwork. Statues of four famous Kansans are located on the second floor rotunda, and murals by several Kansas artists are featured throughout the building.  The most well-known of these is the John Stuart Curry mural, Tragic Prelude. Several statues and memorials adorn the grounds. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. In 2002, a statue of a Kaw warrior, titled Ad Astra, was placed atop the dome.