During your visit to this Pierre, South Dakota attraction, learn about the South Dakota State Legislature past and present on a tour of the Capitol. Explore the many memorials on the Capitol’s grounds. The Heritage Store offers a variety of attractive, quality South Dakota made items and items that reflect South Dakota.
Highlights of the South Dakota Capitol Building
First Lady Gown Collection
The First Lady Gown Collection can be found on the first floor of the South Dakota Capitol in glass display cases. See reproductions of the gowns worn by first ladies on the night of their husbands and brother’s inauguration balls. Each display showcases the years each governor was in office and include family pictures and other memorabilia.
Previous Governor and Supreme Court Judge Portraits
In the east and west wings of the first floor of the Capitol, portraits of South Dakota’s previous governors and supreme court judges adorn the walls. In the west wing, photos of South Dakota governors are in chronological order beginning with Governor Mellette. The east wing features photos and portraits of South Dakota Supreme Court Judges.
Murals of Greek Goddesses
Climbing the marble staircase to the second floor of the Capitol Building, you will come to the Rotunda. In each corner of the Rotunda are large murals of Greek goddesses, symbolic of major interests in South Dakota. Painted by Edward Simmons in 1910, each work of art represents the South Dakota of today. Below each mural are Seals of Sovereignty. Among the paintings is a purple-clothed goddess that represents livestock, a green-clothed goddess symbolizing industry and mining, a pink and white mural that depicts “Motherhood,” and a golden-clothed goddess that represents agriculture. Under each Seal of Sovereignty you will find a flag, some of which are meaningful to the Native Americans of South Dakota.
Bronze Sculptures
In each corner of the Rotunda is a bronze sculpture. The four sculptures were created by South Dakota artist Dale Lamphere and dedicated to the people of South Dakota in 1989 during South Dakota’s centennial celebration.
Governor’s Reception Area
In the west wing of the second floor you will discover the Governor’s Reception Area which served as the office of the first governor in the Capitol Building in 1910. The Governor’s Reception Area has been restored to appear as it originally did and features furniture from 1910 including a large desk and chair, a conference table and chairs and an emerald green sofa. Gold designs on the walls and ceiling are a gold plaster relief and the dark green carpet border symbolizes the size of the original area rug laid in the center of the room.
South Dakota State Supreme Court
In the east wing of the second floor of the Capitol Building, you will find the South Dakota State Supreme Court. Outside the court, display cases contain memorabilia relating to the supreme court. When court is not in session, you can peer through the glass window on the door of the supreme court, within paintings such as Law of Mercy by Charles Holloway adorn the walls. Draperies and carpet replicate the originals. The design on the doorknob reflects the Great State Seal of the State of South Dakota.
House of Representatives
Located on the third floor of the Capitol is the House of Representatives. Looking up, you will see Victorian leaded stained glass. At the front of the room hangs The Peace That Passes Understanding by Charles Holloway, the largest painting in the Capitol. Roll top desks in the House of Representatives are crafted of oak which would have been less expensive than mahogany when the Capitol opened in the early 1900s.
Senate Chamber
Make your way down the Legislative Hallways furnished in original 1910 pieces to the Senate. The Senate is decorated more lavishly than the House of Representatives. Features include roll top desks constructed of cherry wood and stained a dark mahogany, The Louisiana Purchase by Charles Holloway, scagliola marble columns and a ceiling with Victorian stained glass.
House of Representative and Senate Galleries
Climb the small black stairway just past the Senate Chamber, or ride to the fourth floor of the South Dakota State Capitol, featuring the House of Representative and Senate Galleries. During a legislative session, you can sit, listen and watch the activities of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Capitol Grounds
Wander the South Dakota State Capitol grounds and discover Fighting Stallions, Flaming Fountain, Law Enforcement Officer, Fire Fighter, EMT, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials. Adjacent to the Capitol Building is Capitol Lake, a man made artesian lake, an oasis of wildlife in the center of South Dakota’s capital city. Feed the thousands of migratory waterfowl that visit each fall or enjoy the serene beauty of the lake.
Be sure to stop by the Heritage Store. Items made in and related to South Dakota are available to purchase, from art work featuring the South Dakota Capitol by artists like Jon Crane and Kathy Sigle to books published by the South Dakota State Historical Society Press and other books featuring South Dakota history, people and places.
Travel Tips
- Tour booklets are available just inside the North entrance of the Capitol, and on the second floor in the Rotunda, near the front doors.
- The South Dakota Capitol is ADA compliant. Complimentary wheelchairs are available for use from the west entrance.