Alabama State Capitol Grounds - Montgomery, Alabama
Posted by: 
xptwo
N 32° 22.662 W 086° 18.051
16S E 565767 N 3582517
The Frederick Law Olmsted firm designed the grounds for the Alabama State Capitol in 1889.
Waymark Code: WMEQD6
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 06/26/2012
Views: 11
In looking at the National Association for Olmsted Parks web page cited by the category, I was surprised to learn that the grounds of the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery were designed by the firm. In 1889, the state would have been recovering from the Reconstruction period and been able to fund this work. The 1977 application to the National Register of Historic Places contains this information: "The capital building's grounds were planned by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted in the end of the nineteenth century and still contain some rare and beautiful shrubbery and trees as well as several historical monuments." source: (
visit link)
The Capitol Building itself is a replacement for the original building that burned in 1849. The Capitol was the site of the provisional congress of the Confederate States of America in 1861 and where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as the first President of the CSA on February 18, 1861. The Confederate capital was moved to Richmond, Virginia, in May, 1861, so the building returned to its previous use as home to the state legislature and government office. Over the years since then, additions have been made to add east, west, and north wings. The building underwent a significant renovation from 1985 to 1992. While the Governor of Alabama and other state offices moved back into the building, the legislature meets in the nearby State House. The Senate and House chambers were furnished as they appeared in 1861 and are used on occasion.