The Virginia Capitol

The Virginia Capitol is a living landmark to American self-government. Since 1788, it has been home to the General Assembly, the oldest legislature continuously operating in the Western Hemisphere. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the Capitol was the first public building in the New World constructed in the Monumental Classical style; it has served as a prototype for countless capitols, courthouses, municipal buildings, and even churches and residences for more than 200 years.

The Board of Trustees of the Virginia Capitol Foundation announces that the long-anticipated statue of Thomas Jefferson will be dedicated on Friday, May 4, 2012. The Executive Committee of the 2007 Virginia Capitol Restoration and Extension Project charged the Virginia Capitol Foundation with the task of commissioning an original work of art representing Thomas Jefferson, the architect of the Virginia Capitol. Three distinguished Virginians - Tom Farrell, Bill Goodwin, Brent Halsey and their families - stepped forward to fund the project which has taken just over a year to complete. Ivan Schwartz, co-founder of StudioEIS, was tapped by the Foundation to create the original full-length bronze image. The statue, which will be on permanent display in the Capitol Extension, will serve as a guidepost, beckoning the more than 100,000 annual visitors to enter America's first monument to democracy.

Capitol Guides will be available in the Capitol Extension Plaza throughout the day on Friday, May 4, and over the weekend to share details of the statue and answer questions. As always, the Capitol is open for tours seven days a week on the following schedule: Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (804) 698-1788 for more information.

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