Arizona Capitol Museum

The Arizona Capitol Museum is housed in the historic seat of the former legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona in Phoenix. The building was constructed between 1898 and 1901 to demonstrate the territory's readiness for admission to the Union. The design by James Riely Gordon, which was based on an unsuccessful proposal for the Mississippi State Capitol, had to be scaled down due to a lack of funds. The capitol originally housed the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the governor's office. After new government buildings were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, the historic building was restored and opened as a museum in 1981; it is now a protected landmark.

In the exhibits, you can explore the history and culture of Arizona from its beginnings to the present day. Topics include the state symbols, notable figures, natural history, and the path to statehood. A special focus is placed on photographs by Edward S. Curtis. The architecture is adapted to the desert climate, with thick masonry walls, skylights, and round clerestory windows for thermal insulation. The building is made of local materials such as granite and has a distinctive copper dome. In the entrance hall, you'll find a mosaic of the state seal that is missing its cow due to a manufacturing error. A weathervane reminiscent of the Winged Victory of Samothrace crowns the building and can be seen through a skylight in the rotunda.