100th Anniversary of the State Capitol

In 1904, the General Assembly decided Kentucky needed a new Capitol, its fourth.  A special session of the legislature was called by Governor J.C.W. Beckham in 1905 and $40,000 was appropriated for the purchase of a 33 acre site known as the Hunt Farm in south Frankfort.  Ground was broken in May of 1905 and the cornerstone was laid on June 16, 1906.  Frank Mills Andrews and Co., architects, had been retained earlier and the work on the building proceeded.  In June of 1910, the new Capitol was officially dedicated.  It was constructed and furnished at a total cost of $1,820,000 and is considered to be one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the country!

In 2001, a Master Plan for the Capitol building and grounds was developed to restore the majestic building to its original glory.  This project has not been able to proceed due to a lack of funding.  The structure, which is filled with Kentucky artifacts and treasures, will turn 100 years old in 2010.  We are beginning to plan a grand celebration, but there is much to be done.

We at the Division of Historic Properties invite you to help us preserve and restore the beauty of the landmark building of Kentucky.  If you would like to contribute to the endowment fund, which serves this very purpose, please click the following link to see our endowment fund contribution form (PDF - 9KB).