31-610: The Mississippi State Capitol or the “New Capitol,” has been the seat of the state’s government since it succeeded the old Mississippi State House in 1903. Located in the centrally-located state capital / capital city of Jackson , in Hinds County , it was designated as a Mississippi Landmark in 1986, abd subsequently a National Historic Landmark in 2016 and earlier added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, (lists and descriptive information maintained by
62-733: A cost of $ 1,093,641. Most fortuitously, rather than issuing bonds as was planned, the cost of the Capitol was paid in full at its 1903 completion after the State of Mississippi was awarded a substantial windfall of one million dollars in a legal lawsuit settlement ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington for back taxes owed by the Illinois Central Railroad of Chicago . The Capitol originally housed all three branches of typical American government - legislative, executive, and judicial. Currently,
93-637: A doorkeeper. The President Pro Tempore chairs the Senate Rules Committee, oversees the day-to-day operations of the Senate staff, and assumes the responsibilities of the president in their absence. Although the Democratic Party retained their majority in the Senate after the 2003 general election, a party switch by Democratic Senator James Shannon Walley of Leakesville in January 2007 threw control of
124-467: A member with a two-thirds vote of its membership. A majority in the Senate establishes a quorum, though less members can adjourn, though not for more than 3 days without the House's consent. Bills can originate in the Senate and must undergo three readings in each house, unless two-thirds of the house dispenses with the rules. Amendments to bills must be approved by both houses. The Senate, in conjunction with
155-586: A much more colorful and decorative palette. This project, funded by the Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) and overseen by Jackson architect A. Hays Town , included artwork in the domes of the central Rotunda and that of the Senate Chamber. Again from 1979 through 1982, the Mississippi Capitol underwent its most significant renovations in its century and quarter history. During
186-461: A self-guided tour anytime between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Group and school tours are available by reservation. The gift shop is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It is closed on weekends. Old Mississippi State Capitol The Old Mississippi State Capitol , also known as Old Capitol Museum or Old State Capitol , served as the Mississippi statehouse from 1839 until 1903. The old state capitol
217-545: Is constitutionally-mandated to meet for 125 days every four years at the start of a new term and 90 days in other years. The Senate reconvenes on a yearly basis on the Tuesday after the first Monday in January. While the Mississippi House of Representatives can extend its sessions, the Senate cannot. The Senate has the authority to determine rules of its own proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and expel
248-649: Is the upper house of the Mississippi Legislature , the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi . The Senate, along with the lower Mississippi House of Representatives , convenes at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson . The Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi serves as President of the Senate. The Senate is composed of 52 senators representing an equal number of constituent districts, with 56,947 people per district (2020 census). In
279-592: The National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior ). After years of public debate, the 35th Governor of Mississippi Andrew Houston Longino (1854-1942, served 1900-1904), who took office in January 1900, soon convinced the members of both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature , that it was finally time to construct a new Capitol in Jackson , and he was appointed chairman of
310-579: The United States Capitol on Capitol Hill ) in the federal national capital city of Washington, D.C. , was hired as a consultant by the State House Commission of Mississippi to review the submissions; he chose the plans prepared by architect Theodore C. Link (1850-1923), of St. Louis, Missouri . Erected on the former site of the old Mississippi State Penitentiary , the Capitol was completed within 28 months of construction in 1901-1903 at
341-687: The $ 19 million project the Mississippi Legislature met across town in Jackson’s old Central High School . Mezzanine levels were installed in the second floor offices to increase the staff working area. The major public areas of the building, including the chambers of the House of Representatives , Senate and old Mississippi Supreme Court chambers; and the Governor’s Reception Room ; Rotunda ; Hall of History and its historical exhibits; and
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#1732858079044372-580: The 2020 census, each district has about 56,947 people. To qualify for election, candidates must be at least 25 years old, a qualified elector of the state for the past four years, and be a resident of the district or county they are running to represent for the past two years. All candidates must pay either a $ 250 fee to their state party executive committee or to the Mississippi Secretary of State if they are running as an independent. Independent candidates must collect 50 signatures to run. Elections to
403-403: The 3-story structure in 1840. The exterior of the building was composed of brick, limestone, and stucco. A copper rotunda dome extended 94 feet (29 m) above the first floor. Wood was the principal material used for construction of the building's interior, with the exception of brick partition walls and flagstones on the rotunda floor. From 1839 until 1903, as Mississippi's statehouse,
434-516: The Capitol and incorporated 4,750 electric fixtures, which are still being used today. Windows of stained and leaded glass, crafted by Louis Millet of Chicago, Illinois , are original and adorn the grand staircase, domes and walls of the chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives, Governor’s Office, and other spaces within the building. The ceilings of the third and fourth floor corridors contain Millet’s stained glass and work with
465-461: The House of Representatives. All gubernatorial appointments are subject to approval of the Senate. The President of the Senate is Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann , who is Republican . The President pro tempore is Republican Dean Kirby . The Minority Leader is Democrat Derrick Simmons . The Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi serves as the President of the Senate and has
496-661: The Legislative branch is the only full-time serving branch still remaining. The Mississippi Supreme Court met in the New State Capitol for seven decades from 1903 until 1973. The main offices of the Governor of Mississippi are currently residing across the street in the Walter Sillers Building. In 1933-1934, a major repainting program transformed the interior of the Capitol from its original plain white plaster ceilings to
527-510: The Mississippi House of Representatives, draws and approves both congressional and district boundaries. The congressional boundaries can be vetoed by the governor, while the district boundaries, created by a joint resolution between both houses, cannot be vetoed by the governor. The governor has the power to veto legislation, but legislators can override the veto with a two-thirds decision. The Senate tries all impeachments referred to it by
558-430: The Senate and the House of Representatives are located on the fourth floor. On top of the state capital building is a gold-plated American Bald Eagle figurine, facing south. The Capitol is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. It is closed weekends. Guided tours are conducted free of charge by staff and volunteers. Tours are given Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., or visitors are welcome to do
589-454: The Senate are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during the state general elections. If a vacancy occurs in the Senate before June 1, the governor must order an election within 30 days after the vacancy and give a 40-day notice to the appropriate counties where the seat is located. No special election occurs if the vacancy happens after June 1. The state legislature
620-534: The State House Commission in the following month of February 1900 by the State Legislature . Fourteen architects submitted plans in response to the architectural contest advertised though newspapers in five large prominent cities across the country seeking submissions of bids and proposal drawings. Bernard R. Green , the architect / engineer who designed the massive huge monumental Library of Congress (oldest Thomas Jefferson Building of 1890-1897, east of
651-657: The chamber to the Republicans . Because the Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck was a Republican, this gave Republicans control of the Senate for the first time since Reconstruction and a de facto majority only on a tie vote. In the November 6, 2007 statewide elections, Democrats won back control of the chamber, however party switches from Senators Nolan Mettetal in February 2008 and Cindy Hyde-Smith in December 2010 gave
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#1732858079044682-599: The current legislative session, the Republican Party holds 36 seats while the Democratic Party holds 16 seats, creating a Republican trifecta in the state government. The Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions, and boards and can create and amend bills. According to the current Mississippi Constitution , the Senate is to be composed of no more than 52 members elected for four-year terms with no term limits . Districts are reapportioned to reflect population changes, and per
713-503: The elaborate decorated United Daughters of the Confederacy Reception Room were also restored. The Capitol exemplifies Beaux Arts classicism in architecture. The Capitol is 402 feet in width, 225 feet in depth, with a total of 171,000 square feet. The central dome rises 180 feet above ground level. The exterior walls of the Capitol are Indiana limestone and the base and stairs are Georgia granite. The drum of
744-435: The main dome is a limestone-colored terra cotta and is surrounded by a limestone colonnade. The eagle that stands atop is eight feet tall and 15 feet wide, made of copper, and gilded with gold leaf. Inside the Capitol are more than ten types of marble from other states and countries and eight types of art marble, known as scagliola . Architect Theodore Link used the new technology of electric lighting when designing
775-594: The monumental columns. The second floor also houses the old Supreme Court and the old State Library. In addition to the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the third floor is home to the offices of the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House, and the ceremonial office of the Governor. The Senate has 52 members. The House of Representatives has 122 members. The public galleries of
806-522: The old capitol was the site of several historical legislative events: When construction of a newer state capitol was completed in 1903, the old capitol building was abandoned and remained so until 1916, when it was renovated for state office space. By 1960, all state agencies had vacated the structure and it was again renovated to become the State Historical Museum in 1961. In August 2005, winds from Hurricane Katrina peeled off sections of
837-520: The old capitol's copper roof. About four weeks later, rain from Hurricane Rita infiltrated the building and damaged ceilings, walls, and ornamentation, as well as historical artifacts. Storm repairs and renovations were completed between 2007 and 2009, and the museum reopened to the public. The Old Capitol Museum is administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History . Mississippi Senate The Mississippi State Senate
868-555: The skylights on the roof and with the glass cylinders within the marble of the fourth floor as a skylight system to provide natural light along those corridors. The ground floor’s Hall of Governors displays portraits of the former governors of Mississippi, beginning with the first territorial governor, Winthrop Sargent . The main Rotunda is located on the second floor with walls of Italian white marble trimmed with Belgian black marble, cast iron balustrades with architectural motifs encircling
899-479: The sole ability to appoint the chairmanships or vice chairmanships of various Senate committees, regardless of party size. They can only cast a legislative vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate. The President Pro Tempore is elected by a majority of senators present, with following elections for the senate secretary, seargent-at-arms, and
930-461: The space, and the central dome rising above allowing in natural light to mix with the original electric light fixtures. A relief sculpture of Lady Justice is seen above each of the top arches. The Rotunda also displays all the major classical orders, including Roman Doric on the first level (second floor), Ionic on the second level (third floor), and the highest order in the Composite capitals on
961-404: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. In 1986, the structure was designated a Mississippi Landmark and became a National Historic Landmark in 1990. Although construction was initiated in 1833, there were problems with the architect and substandard materials. The original architect, John Lawrence, was replaced in 1836 by William Nichols , who oversaw completion of