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Permanent LinkSenate & House Chambers
This is the view in the Senate Chamber looking north toward the rotunda.
Shown is the Senate Chamber with the original furniture, light fixtures, stained-glass skylight, and ceiling decorations.
The original desks in the Senate Chamber are shown. These desks are still being used today.
This view is from the entrance to the Senate Chamber looking toward the President of the Senate's bench.
The ornamental ceiling of the Senate Chamber is shown.
Shown is the House of Representatives Chamber with original furniture, light fixtures, stained-glass skylight, and ceiling decorations. The ceiling of the House Chamber was destroyed during the fire in 1904.
This view is from the House Chamber looking south toward the rotunda.
Shown is a top view of the House Chamber, prior to the fire in 1904.
An exterior view of the northwest side of the Capitol shows the fire in the House of Representatives Chamber on January 4, 1904. Both the House Chamber and committee rooms were badly damaged. The blaze, apparently caused by a workman's candle left burning, caused an estimated $400,000 to $500,000 in damages.
The damage to the House of Representatives Chamber following the fire was immense. With the Legislature due to convene a week after the fire, conferences were immediately held to determine what could be done to repair the House Chamber. When the House convened, it was decided to use the Chamber anyway. Tarps were hung to cover holes in the ceiling, and the Session proceeded in spite of heavy soot that necessitated daily baths for House members.
