Plan your visit
State Capitol History
NARRATOR: This Indiana Bicentennial minute is made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg DeVault.
Images of the original state capital in Corydon, Indiana.
PAULEY: Following statehood in 1816, Indiana quickly outgrew its capital in Cord near the Ohio River. In the 1820s, the central location of Indianapolis was chosen as the state capital and a new capital building resembling the Greek Parthenon was completed in 1835.
Images of the original state capital building in Indianapolis is shown.
PAULEY: In 1888, it was replaced by the larger Italian Renaissance style Capital still in use today.
Images of the modern state capital is shown.
PAULEY: Design by Indianapolis architect Edwin May using native Indiana oak and Indiana limestone throughout. The Capital houses the governor’s office, state Senate, House of Representatives and Indiana Supreme Court.
Video is shown where the governor’s office, the Senate and House of Representatives and Supreme Court is located within the state capital.
PAULEY: With its beautiful stain-glass rotunda shining light on the workings of our nation’s 19th state. I’m Jane Pauley with this Indiana Bicentennial Minute.
NARRATOR: Made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg DeVault.
Indiana Bicentennial Minute
- Gas Boom
- Miles Labs
- The Harrisons
- Native Americans
- Elwood Haynes
- Morgan’s Raid
- Red Skelton
- Indiana Astronauts
- John Dillinger
- Gov. Oliver Morton
- Indiana State Parks
- Cole Porter
- Auto Indiana
- Evansville, Refrigeration Capitol of the World
- Knute Rockne
- Gennett Records
- Indiana Agriculture
- Kurt Vonnegut
- Carole Lombard
- State Capitol History
- Saint Theodora Guerin
- Hoagy Carmichael
- French Lick and West Baden Springs
- Eugene V. Debs
- Indiana’s First Railroad
- Eli Lilly
- Gary, Indiana, and Michael Jackson
- John Wooden
- Cummins Engine
- General Lew Wallace
- Back Home Again in Indiana
- Indiana Avenue
- Indiana Statehood
- Steamboat Era
- James Whitcomb Riley
- Super Bowl XLVI
- Abraham Lincoln
- Madam Walker
- Crispus Attucks
- Vice Presidents
- Philo Farnsworth
- T.C. Steele
- Milan Miracle
- Levi Coffin
- Robert Kennedy
- Von Tilzer Brothers
- Ernie Pyle
- New Harmony
- Gene Stratton-Porter
- The Shaping of the Crossroads of America
- Soldiers and Sailors Monument
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Drop us a line
Let's talk
Full Staff DirectoryOur Hours
ExhibitsOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through SaturdayOpen 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. SundayWilliam H. Smith Memorial LibraryOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. SundayHistory MarketOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. SundayStardust Terrace Café HoursOpen 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Open 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday