Tennessee State Capitol

Patterned on two of Ancient Greece’s most iconic structures, the Acropolis’ Erectheum and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, the Tennessee State Capitol is the pinnacle of Greek Revival architecture and also exemplifies Nashville’s nickname, the “Athens of the South.” Tennessee’s capital city shifted between different cities until 1843. The purchase of a tall hill overlooking the city became the site of a permanent capitol building—Nashville’s own acropolis.

Designated a National Historic Landmark, it was designed by Philadelphia architect William Strickland, who also designed the Downtown Presbyterian Church. Strickland was also the architect for the Second Bank of the United States and Independence Hall’s reconstructed tower, both located in Philadelphia. The cornerstone of the capitol building was laid on July 4, 1845, and construction lasted fourteen years. Strickland died in 1854, but his son, Francis, and later British architect, Harvey Aykroyd, worked to complete the building, which opened in 1859 just before the start of the Civil War. Except for the copper roof and iron roof trusses, the structure of the building is entirely made of Tennessee limestone.

The limestone was quarried only six blocks away and construction involved stacking the stones, each weighing several tons. Because this predated the invention of the modern crane, each stone was hoisted using a block and tackle pulley system operated by state penitentiary inmates and enslaved men. By the 1950s, the facade of the building was very weathered and dangerously weak and large chunks of the building’s face had fallen. Almost 90,000 cubic feet of the exterior limestone was replaced with Indiana limestone, which closely resembled local stone and was more durable.

Many treasures can be found inside. Gaslight chandeliers that date to 1855 display representations of corn, elk, cotton, and tobacco. These massive bronze fixtures were converted to electric in 1895. If you go inside, peek into the room that originally housed the State Library. It showcases ornamental ironwork from Philadelphia’s Wood and Perot.

The Tennessee State Capitol building is one of the oldest state capitols still in legislative use. There are also several people buried on the grounds. Architect William Strickland is buried in the north wall behind the governor’s office. Capitol Commission President Samuel Morgan is buried in the south wall. And U.S. President James K. Polk and his wife Sarah are buried on the east side grounds. For more stories, visit one of our many other tours that feature Nashville’s acropolis.

Cross Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd. at the pedestrian crosswalk and walk across War Memorial Plaza until you see the large statue inside the War Memorial building on your right.