RICHMOND, Va. — As the annual joint conference of the Virginia National Guard Association, the Virginia National Guard Enlisted Association and the Virginia National Guard Historical Foundation held July 29-30, 2022, in the River City, Richmond, Virginia, the VNGA wanted to highlight one of the recently added events: the Virginia Capitol Tour.
Conference attendees will be transported to Richmond’s historic Capitol Square where the oldest elected legislative body in North America meets to govern. Greeted by Capitol Tour Guide, participants will get a truly unique and exclusive behind the scenes look at what Thomas Jefferson referred to as the “Temple of Democracy” which houses the Virginia General Assembly, first established as the House of Burgesses in 1619.
Virginia’s original Capitol was located at the Jamestown Colony where the first Representative Legislative Assembly convened on July 30, 1619. The meeting was held at the Jamestown Church. In 1699, the Capitol was relocated further inland to Williamsburg. On June 29, 1776, Virginians declared their independence from Great Britain– four days prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4. Then Governor, Jefferson urged that the Capitol be relocated to Richmond.
Designed by Jefferson and French architect Charles-Louis Clerisseau, members of the Virginia General Assembly occupied the building in 1788 and members of the Virginia executive and judicial branches moved into the Maison Carree inspired building in 1789. The Capitol is the first American State Capitol designed after the Revolutionary War and the first public building in the New World to be constructed in the form of a classical Roman temple. The only other state to accurately copy an ancient model is the Vermont State House. Virginia’s Capitol is one of only 12 Capitols in the United States without an external dome.
The east (House of Delegates) and west (Senate) wings were added between 1904 and 1906 and feature impressive interior designs and colors from 1910. Original exterior brickwork and interior woodwork were carefully preserved during a recent $104 million renovation, restoration and expansion project. The historic Capitol contains an extensive collection of paintings and sculpture, including an original marble statue of George Washington, done from life by Jean-Antoine Houdon, presides in the Rotunda.
The exceptionally well-landscaped public grounds of Capitol Square contain many old and newly dedicated monuments honoring a wide variety of notable Virginians, including “Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute,” “Voices from the Garden: The Virginia Women’s Monument,” “Washington Monument,” “Virginia Civil Rights Monument,” and the Zero Milestone.
The conference and business meeting takes places Friday, July 29 and 30 and is open to all currently serving and former members of the Virginia National Guard, the VNGA, the VNGEA, the Virginia National Guard Historical Foundation and friends of the National Guard. Junior Officers and experienced leaders will benefit from the career-specific breakout sessions, as well as from each other, in a friendly networking environment.
The Marriott Hotel Shuttle Service departs the hotel foyer at 6:50 p.m., July 29. The tour begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. and lasts about an hour. Participants are screened by the Capitol Police prior to entry.
Reporters, Editors & Producers: Leaders are available for interviews or to appear as subject matter experts on issues related to the Virginia National Guard Association. Email contact@vnga.us to schedule an interview or appearance.
About VNGA: Established in 1960, the Virginia National Guard Association is a recognized non-profit non-partisan 501(c)(19) veterans’ service association representing over 10,000 Service Members of all ranks and status; enlisted, warrant and officer; traditional, active duty and retired.