Things to do nearTennessee State Capitol

The Tennessee State Capitol was designed by architect William Strickland, one of the leading American architects of the nineteenth century, and construction began in 1845. Strickland himself died before its completion in 1859, and, at his request, he was entombed within the building's northeast tower, making it one of the rare structures in the country to serve as the burial site of its own architect. The building is constructed almost entirely of Tennessee limestone and features a Greek Revival style that was fashionable for civic buildings of that era.

Visitors exploring the capitol today can walk through the Senate and House chambers, both of which retain much of their original character, including ornate plasterwork ceilings and period furnishings. Guided tours led by knowledgeable staff bring the legislative history of the state to life, covering everything from Civil War-era decisions made within these walls to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote and was certified here in 1920.

The grounds surrounding the Tennessee State Capitol are equally worth your time. Landscaped terraces descend the hill on multiple sides, anchored by statues of notable Tennesseans including Andrew Jackson and Sam Davis. The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park stretches to the north, offering a quiet green corridor lined with historical markers that trace the full arc of Tennessee's story from statehood to the present day.

Few places in Nashville offer this combination of architectural beauty, living civic purpose, and layered history in a single visit. The Tennessee State Capitol remains an active seat of government, which gives the experience a sense of genuine consequence that no museum replica could replicate.