Monday, July 8, 2019, Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson, MO

It was about a 53-mile drive from our campsite at Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Brumley, MO, to the Missouri capital. It was not likely we would be any closer for a while so we headed to Jefferson City for the day. Our timing could have been better. Unfortunately, they were well into a restoration project on the exterior of the building so the Capitol looked more like a farm silo than the elegant seat of the state government.

Lewis and Clark, Corps of Discovery, sculpted by Sabra Tull Meyer

I'm sure when the restoration is complete it will be beautiful but today there was not much point in exploring the grounds. There were a few interesting sculptures and fountains but the warm day and humidity made it an easy decision to head indoors.

Joani's research indicated the capitol contained a lot of public art. We now know they meant murals and bronze busts on display not framed art you would find in a museum. There were, however, some very nice murals. Our tour was led by an enthusiastic docent who had lots of history behind the artwork. 

In 1911 the previous capitol was destroyed by fire. The state’s voters approved a bond issue to finance construction of the current Capitol. They were hoping to raise 3.5 million but instead raised 4.3 million. When the building was completed in 1917, it was determined the surplus (nearly 1 million) must be used on the Capitol so some of the leading artists of the day were hired to paint murals. On the second floor, a collection of 41 lunettes (arched-shaped paintings) depict Missouri’s history. Each measures about 12 feet by 6 feet.

The Father of Waters, by Frank Nuderscher 1922

The Father of Trade, by Frank Nuderscher 1922

The rotunda was nice but the lighting made it nearly impossible to do it justice in photos.

We learned the Missouri coat of arms included two grizzlies holding the shield, not because there were a lot of grizzlies in the area (there were never grizzlies in Missouri) but because someone thought they gave the impression of strength and courage. The crescent moon in the crest represented the second son. Missouri was the second state established from the Louisiana territory purchased in 1802.

Great Seal of Missouri was designed in 1822 by Judge Robert Wells

Motto Translation: "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law."

The House of Representative's lounge was originally just a plain room where legislators would take breaks. Someone had the idea to commission a mural to dress the place up a bit. With very little guidance the artist created the controversial work below. Some of the politicians were appalled at the selection of famous Missouri faces. Frank and Jesse James, mob bosses and Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer.  After the tour (and after lunch) we went back in and studied it for a while on our own.

A Social History of the State of Missouri, by Thomas Hart Benton
completed in 1936, egg tempera on canvas

The most popular piece of art in the Capitol (popular today, but not in 1936 - the Representatives hated it with a passion.)

We heard our guide say Benton used 36 dozen eggs (to make the egg tempera paint in the process of painting this room, but that can not be right - 3,600 or 36,000 maybe by I can't believe 420 eggs.

The first floor of the Capitol is a museum devoted to Missouri's history.

Senate Gallery

We had fun with a guide to some of the fossils found in the Missouri limestone used throughout the Capitol. The limestone provides hints that Missouri was once covered by a warm shallow sea.

Cladochonus, Tabulated Coral on the 4th floor, in the floor across from room 406