While it wasn’t the adventure I thought I might be going on today, it was truly a beautiful day to visit Montgomery, the Capitol of Alabama.
The rain had blown away, the humidity had dropped, and I snagged a parking spot right in front of the Capitol Building. What a good start to the day. I toured more than this building, but that’s all I’ll cover with this post. Since my hip is still bothering me, I fairly hobbled up all those stairs to the entrance door. I’m guessing that about half of Alabama’s fourth grade classes were visiting this morning as well. There were hundreds of young people swarming around everywhere like a disturbed ant nest! It is May, after all, and field trips are certainly in order as the school year ends. State history is studied in the fourth grade in Alabama, and what better way to experience it than a trip to the Capitol.
I was able to squeeze in between school groups as I wandered around this historic building. Gazing upwards in the rotunda, you can appreciate the plasterwork and stained glass skylight from 1906. The murals depicting moments in Alabama history were painted during the late 1920’s.
I took my time drinking everything in, and I can hardly believe my luck in avoiding the huge crowds. It was as if I had the whole place to myself. It’s pretty obvious that Montgomery is very proud of its connection to the Confederacy. After all, this building is the birthplace of The Confederate States of America.
In the former Supreme Court Chamber, there is a tribute to Alabama’s Fallen Heroes.
 |  A bronze statue of that famous moment when a young Helen Keller made a connection with words is also depicted in a special room in the building. What a wonderful sculpture this is. The awe and wonder of that discovery is so evident on her face. |
Now I’ll see if I can get this post to publish tonight. I sure hope so. If not, I’ll save it for when I have a better signal. I discovered another very interesting place to visit this afternoon, and plan to go there tomorrow morning. It’s only a few miles from the campground, and administered by the National Park Service. I’m looking forward to that.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
The Capitol is lovely.... I loved murals, and would like to see them up close. It's like you can soak up the history of long past days.
ReplyDeleteCraig and I both enjoy visiting Capitol buildings. When we went to Sacramento a few years back some of our local California friends teased us that we had missed out on the fourth grade trip!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful building filled with so much history. Glad it worked out that you were there between the masses.
ReplyDeleteWe try to visit every capitol we can. Haven't got to this one yet. If you ever get a chance, don't miss the Helen Keller Museum. It is at the home she grew up in. It is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSo much history, and what a beautiful building. I'm glad you had a chance to explore it all. Can't wait to hear what you have in store for tomorrow. Happy adventures!
ReplyDeleteGreat place the stature is fantastic
ReplyDeleteLove capitol buildings. . .can't believe I was in Montgomery AL a few years back and failed to get a pic of this one. . .great photographs today. . .really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJanice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com
I am still so envious of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I use to wonder why anyone would be so interested in things that happened so long ago. As I aged and matured, I learned how important history is and love to learn as much as I can.
But ... but ... where is the State bird?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what Alabama's state bird is, so you could stick in any old tweety thing.
Love that statues of Helen Keller and the Capitol building is certainly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour, Judy, and all the great photos. Quite a historical spot for sure.
ReplyDeleteYour blog gave me goosebumps (with apologies to the geese) this AM...And yes, the Confederate States are still fighting the Civil War in their minds...I think all kids should visit ALL of our state capitols and know their history up close and personal...And especially our nation's capitol. We have yet to visit there yet, but it is on my "do it damnit" list. Can't wait for your next lesson.
ReplyDeleteLovely visit to the Alabama state capitol.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures very nicely displayed as usual Judy. I'm concerned about your hip. Can you give an update on it? Glad your internet connection was good enough to send this along to us.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Stoltz May 11, 2012 11:12 AM
ReplyDeleteYour grade on today's blog is an A+
State capitals are neat, you make your adventures enjoyable and your pictures are always great.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Judy & Emma,
ReplyDelete(You do still have Emma, don't you?)
There is nothing like a school teacher, trying to have a pleasant quiet day,
in retirement, than running into a FIELD-TRIP DAY at anywhere!!AHHHHHHHHH!!
You kinda have some control, when they're at the 'swamp', but when you don't have any you really appreciate the teachers who do and notice the teachers
who don't! Thank you for the tour of the Capital of The Confederate States of America... Waiting to see what else you came up with!!!
A parking place right in front of the capitol? Don't bother to play the lottery anymore, you've used up all your luck! ;c)
ReplyDeleteI live about 12 blocks from Helen Keller's birthplace and a wonderful park called Spring Park... the *rest* of Alabama's 4th graders were in Tuscumbia today, Judy! :-) "Where's Weaver" is right - Ivy Green is lovely... "Good Luck Duck", our state bird is the yellowhammer, and we have some nesting in our yard right now. The male was fussing at me today when I was outside! :-) We are also enjoying watching the robins, cardinals, and titmouse (mouses/mice?? :-) nest. We rescued a fledgling robin yesterday who got its leg caught in some undergrowth - it's parents were frantic!! There was a little blue egg in the nest near where he was. My Little One is always on the lookout for birds!... Wish you were coming to North Alabama, Judy!
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