July 4, 1833, the cornerstone for the North Carolina State capitol was laid. This building replaced the State House which burned to the ground in 1831. The North Carolina State Capitol was completed in 1840.

Inside the Capitol

The stone used in the Capitol is native to a quarry approximately a mile and a half from the site. The building is a National Historic Landmark and exemplifies Greek Revival architecture. It is one of few capitols of its period in the United States that has undergone very few modifications. The Capitol used to house all three branches of goverment - executive, legislative, and judicial. Today it contains the governor's and lieutenant governor's working offices, as well as the secretary of state's ceremonial office. In 1961 the legislature moved to a new building. The Capitol is located on Union Square in downtown Raleigh. For a free group tour, call 919-733-3456. Others call 919-733-4994 for information.

Vietnam Veterans' Memorial

"After the Firefight" - This memorial is dedicated to the more than 206,000 men and women of the state who served in Vietnam. The monument depicts men who have been in a firefight. Two soldiers carry a wounded comrade to a nearby landing zone to await medical help. The model for the front figure, who is watching for the evacuation helicopter to arrive, was a Vietatam Veteran. Likewise, the clothing and equipment, with the exception of the rifles, were sculpted in detail from arti-facts loaned to the artist by veterans.

Popularly known as the "Three Presidents" statue, this bronze sculpture by Charles Keck was unveiled on October 19, 1948, by President Harry S. Trurnan. This work, sponsored by the North Carolina General Asscmbly, honors Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh President of the United States (1829-1837); James Knox Polk (1795-1849), eleventh President (1845-1849); and Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), seventeenth President (1865-1869). Johnson was born about 150 yards south of this statue behind the present Justice Building in a building now located in Mordecai Historic Park. Although North Carolina claims all three presidents as its native sons, all were elected while residents of Tennessee. Jackson is on horseback; Polk is seated and holds a map; Johnson is seated and holds the U.S. Constitution.

The first building constructed soley to house a state general assembly, the State Legislative Building was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, whose credits include the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washinton, D.C. Completed in 1963, it is a blend of classical and modern design. Tours of the chambers may include at certain times, a view of the legislators at work.