June’s first Architeaser was one of the dozens of persons sculpted into the wall of the Justice Building on the State Capitol grounds. The wall surrounds the court chambers in an addition which was completed in 1976 and designed by Noland Blass Jr.
Here is today’s Architeaser.
Yesterday’s Architeaser featured an Ionic column at the Arkansas State Capitol building. There are columns along the facade of the building as well as on the dome. Yesterday’s Capitol capital was from the east face on the building.
Today’s Architeaser features a Doric column.
On display at the Arkansas State Capitol is a temporary exhibit – Arkansas’s African American Legislators, 1868-1893. It was created by the Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas History Commission. It honors the African Americans who made up a significant part of Arkansas’s legislature during the 1860s and early 1870s, and who continued to serve until 1893.
State Rep. William H. Grey, one of first two African Americans to serve in Arkansas legislature
On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, State Representative Fred Allen and Black History Commission chair, Carla Coleman, spoke at the official opening of the exhibit in the lower-level foyer at the Arkansas State Capitol. African Americans participated in Arkansas politics for the first time following the Civil War. After the end of that conflict, the state adopted a new constitution in 1868. Its provisions included the right to vote and hold public office for black males.
When the Culture Vulture was just a Baby Vulture, he, his parents and sister would go to the State Capitol building to look at the decorations on Christmas night. Over the years, the Office of Secretary of State has changed the decorations. He remembers the alternating red and green lights on the dome during the Bryant (Kelly and Winston) era. He also remembers the disco dome during Bill McCuen’s tenure. Thankfully during the Priest, Daniels and now Martin era, the building is outlined in white lights.
The nativity scene has also changed in location and materials having once been plaster or plastic and at the top of the stairs in front of the brass doors, later moving to several different places on the grounds. It is now had carved wood. The interior decorations have changed over the years as well.
Whatever the decorations may be, it is wonderful to see families of various sizes from all corners of the state come to their state capitol building to experience the wonders of the season.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 