Louisiana’s Old State Capitol building—with its parapets, battlements, and stained glass ornamentation—makes a brilliant backdrop for a seasonal celebration like the Spirits of Louisiana Gala—October’s annual masqueraded night of merry-making that helps support the castle’s upkeep. One hundred percent of proceeds earned from the Spirits of Louisiana Gala go to the Old State Capitol Foundation, which funds preservation efforts, education, and programming.
As one might imagine, a castle built in 1850 requires considerable upkeep and many larger, focused renovations. The building closes for about a month each year, from mid-December to mid-January, for an intensive maintenance process.
“We see about fifty to sixty thousand visitors a year, and that's a lot of foot traffic and a lot of wear and tear on the building,” explained Assistant Director Suzette Crocker.
The castle was not always kept so meticulously, though. Over the course of its 176 years of presiding over the Mississippi River levee, the Old State Capitol has seen its share of war, weathering, and abandonment.
A Period of Fires and Disrepair
The castellated capitol building— one of just two Gothic-revival style statehouses in the United States—opened its doors in 1850. Less than a decade later, Louisiana delegates seceded from the United States within those same walls. The Civil War began, and the Louisiana Legislature made the decision to flee Baton Rouge, moving its operations to the city of Opelousas. In December, 1862, while controlled by Union troops, the castle was ravaged by a fire of unknown origin, leaving the building an “empty shell” of what it once was.
With the state capital temporarily moved to New Orleans, the old capitol building sat gutted and abandoned until 1879, when the legislature allocated funds to rebuild it. Architect William A. Freret’s design added a fourth floor, along with the breathtaking stained glass dome, cast iron spiral staircase, and turrets capping its exterior towers—stunning elements that make the building immediately recognizable today. Feret completed the building in 1884. Twenty-two years later, yet another fire—this one due to faulty wiring—destroyed the Senate, but this time, repairs were undertaken much more promptly.
When, in 1931, Senator Huey P. Long oversaw the construction of Louisiana’s towering modern day state capitol building, the Old State Capitol building was seventy years old and the legislature had outgrown the old chambers. The statesmen began congregating in the new building, and Baton Rouge’s castle was left without much of a purpose—an odd situation for a building with such breathtaking architecture.
Over the course of many decades, the empty castle housed various state offices, a financial office, an art gallery, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and peculiarly, a club called The Fox Hole, which was frequented by U.S. war veterans. After enough temperature and humidity fluctuation cycles, the interior and exterior walls began to moulder.
A New Era of Preservation/A Story Worth Saving
In 1990, the Louisiana Legislature appropriated funds for a restoration of the majestic old statehouse, and placed the reins in the hands of the Louisiana Secretary of State. A massive three-year restoration began in 1991, during which the temperature controls were re-tooled, historic fixtures were meticulously restored or replaced, and walls were re-plastered—all in precise adherence to historic restoration guidelines. The Old State Capitol reopened as a public institution in 1994, serving as a free museum offering art exhibitions, lectures, and other educational elements. State funding, supported by the Old State Capitol Foundation’s fundraising initiatives, continues to ensure the castle never endures another round of neglect.
The funding for the larger preservation and restoration efforts at the old statehouse—such as the major exterior renovation currently underway—comes from Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s office and capital outlay. Much of the museum’s programming that facilitates visitor education and interprets Louisiana history, and major traveling art exhibits, are funded directly by the Spirits of Louisiana Gala, which serves as the Old State Capitol Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser.
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Photo courtesy of Louisiana's Old State Capitol
Creative costuming gets guests all a-flutter during the Louisiana Old State Capitol's annual Spirits of Louisiana Gala
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Image courtesy of Louisiana's Old State Capitol
This year's Sprirts of Louisiana Gala takes place on Thursday, October 29.
“We bring in temporary exhibits from prestigious lending institutions all across the country,” Public Information Officer Kennadi Wells explained. “We have to set our calendar years in advance for that, and the money that we raise at the Spirits of Louisiana Gala helps with the traveling fees and opening receptions for special short-term exhibits.”
The fundraiser also helps the staff develop technological upgrades, such as The Ghost of the Castle—a 4-D immersive theater experience that introduces visitors to the castle’s resident ghost, Sarah Morgan, portrayed as the building’s “protector.”
Above all else, purchasing tickets to the Spirits of Louisiana Gala helps keep the Old State Capitol a free educational experience for the public. Whether it’s a class of fourth-graders or a group of tourists from France, no one pays admission to enter the castellated landmark. All museums in the Secretary of State system are free to visit. “We have programming for all ages, all types, for everyone, all the time,” Wells said, “and the Spirits of Louisiana Gala is the only event that we charge for.”
Attend the biggest party of the season—and support the Old State Capitol in the process. Tickets to the Spirits of Louisiana Gala can be purchased online at the Old State Capitol’s website.
