War Memorial Building - Little Rock, Arkansas - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

The WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING, Markham St. facing Center St., for three-quarters of a century the State Capitol, is generally considered the most beautiful building in Arkansas and one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the South.  Across a wide green lawn a walk, which divides at a chalice-like fountain, leads up to the facade--four massive Doric columns supporting a pediment.  Two wings are linked to the central part of the building by galleries faced with railings of wrought iron.  With its walls of thick handmade brick, plastered over and painted a creamy white, the edifice achieves an effect of rare serenity and charm.  Framing the building against the blue sky and the Arkansas River, at its back, are magnolias with dark-hued trunks, evergreens, and tall elms.

Plans for the Capitol, were drawn in Kentucky by Gideon Shryock (sometimes spelled Shyrock), who had previously designed the Kentucky Statehouse.  Construction began in 1833 and was pushed forward by Territorial Governor John Pope.  Though the building was still uncompleted in 1836, the general assembly of the newly created State met within its walls during that year.  In 1885 the central portion was remodeled and the wings completed.  After 1910 the legislature occupied chambers in the new Capitol, a mile to the southwest, and in the next 5 years most of the State offices were transferred from the old by the University of Arkansas' School of Medicine.  Renamed the War Memorial Building by an act of the 1921 legislature, the structure was repaired in 1935 and has since served as headquarters for several war veterans' organizations and for agencies of the Federal and State Governments building, a part of which was then used for about 20 years. - Arkansas: A Guide to the State, Little Rock section, pgs 177-178.

In 1947 the Arkansas General Assembly passed acts making the Old State House into a museum.  The museum is open Mon-Sat 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sun 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.  The museum has various displays of Arkansas history.  For more information see their website - Old State House. 

The museum front entrance was the site of President Bill Clinton's presidential campaign announcement and the site of his election night celebrations in both of his runs for the White House.   

The building underwent major renovation in 1996 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997.