Arizona Capitol Museum
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Arizona State Capitol Building
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Front view of the original capitol building (2014)
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| Location | 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Coordinates | 33°26′53″N 112°5′47″W / 33.44806°N 112.09639°WCoordinates: 33°26′53″N 112°5′47″W / 33.44806°N 112.09639°W |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | James Riely Gordon |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP Reference # | 74000455 |
| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1974 |
The Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, was the last home for Arizona's Territorial government, until Arizona became a state in 1912. Initially all three branches of the new state government occupied the four floors of the statehouse. As the state expanded the branches relocated to adjacent buildings and additions. The 1901 portion of the Capitol is now maintained as the Arizona Capitol Museum with a focus on the history and culture of Arizona. The Arizona State Library occupies the 1938 addition.
Museum Exhibits, Events and Programs focus on the evolution of Arizona from Territory to State and how Arizonans continue to affect their state through civic engagement. Topics include: Arizona state symbols, Arizona Approaching statehood, and the Arizona Constitution .
Visitors can enter the Historic House Chamber where the people can sit at the desks. There is also a room dedicated to the 140 changes in the Arizona Constitution over 100 years of statehood. The Governor's office on the second floor has a wax figure of Arizona's First State Governor, George W.P. Hunt, and an exhibit that includes a flag used by Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders.
One impressive display shows the enormous silver and copper punchbowl service from the USS Arizona, as well as a bronze sculpture that was ensconced outside the Admiral's stateroom and used as a centerpiece at state dinners where ever the USS Arizona was docked. Both of these historical artifacts survived the sinking of the Arizona because they had been removed from the ship for cleaning prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The punchbowl service is the only one of its kind and is composed of etched copper panels depicting desert scenes set into a silver bowl ornamented with mermaids, dolphins, waves, and other nautical themes.
Of particular interest is the display of a collection of gifts received by Arizona as part of the "Merci Train" sent by France to the United States following World War II. The French wanted to thank America for sending 250 railroad cars full of fuel, oil, and food in 1948 during a time that the European countries were devastated by World War II. Tens of thousands of French citizens donated objects to be sent to the United States and it was decided that because the outpouring of goods was so great, one boxcar would be sent to each state with one being shared between the District of Columbia and the Territory of Hawaii. All of the items were to be loaded in "Forty and Eight"-type boxcars, named after the sign painted on them which stated that 40 men or 8 horses could be loaded inside. Each car was to be adorned with the coats of arms of all of the provinces of France. The capitol building displays work by the noted Arizona artist Lon Megargee.
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