A Landmark Birthday: The Arkansas State Capitol at 101
April 12, 2012 |
An iconic structure, the Arkansas State Capitol has no peer in the state or region. Except for those Arkansans who retain memories of a fifth grade site visit, few know how or when it came to be or why it took the form it did. The imposing home of state government, impacted through the years by the elements, a changing tenancy and the demands of new technologies, is not the same building it was when conceived more than a century ago.
While its design is said to have been based on one proposed earlier by George Mann for Montana's Capitol, Arkansas State Capitol historian Dr, David Ware says the building itself, whose construction got underway in 1899, "...combines the vision of two consummate professional architects: Missouri based George Mann and Cass Gilbert, New York based but with deep roots in the Midwest." Built on the site of the state penitentiary, it was conceived as a "pay-as-you go" project and, for that reason, it took many, many years to complete.
The Architecture and Design Network has enlisted a group of knowledgeable, experienced professionals who will share their perspectives on the Arkansas State Capitol. State historian David Ware will talk about the Capitol's genesis under Mann and its Gilbert-directed "reboot". His recounting of its history will be interlaced with comments by three well qualified respondents, a trio of distinguished Arkansas architects who have gained considerable experience working on challenging Capitol restoration and remodeling projects. The three are Gary Clements, John Greer and Tommy Jameson.
Free and open to the public, the program is part of this season's Art of Architecture lecture series, sponsored by the ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN NETWORK with the support of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Arkansas Arts Center and the Fay Jones School of Architecture.
Program participants are: Dr. David Ware, Historian of the Arkansas State Capitol, Ph.D in American History, Arizona State UniversityGary Clements, AIA, Clements & Associates/Architecture, Inc., Bachelor of Architecture, the University of ArkansasJohn Greer, Jr., AIA, LEED AP, vice-president of WER Architects, Bachelor of Architecture, Louisiana State UniversityTommy Jameson, AIA, Jameson Architects PA, Bachelor or Architecture, University of Arkansas.
For more information, e-mail Projects4pi@mac.com
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Website:
www.preservearkansas.org |
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| Location Information |
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Supreme Court Chamber |
Second Floor at the Arkansas State Capitol
Little Rock, AR |
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| Contact Information |
| Email:
vmckuin@preservearkansas.org |
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