Delegate Kathy J. Byron
(R) - Capitol Tour
|
|
The Virginia State Capitol is the second oldest working capitol in the United States. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the Capitol is the meeting place for the "oldest continuous English-speaking legislative body in the Western Hemisphere," the General Assembly of Virginia.
Capitol Hostesses
State Capitol, Rotunda, 2nd Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 698-1788
Capitol Tour Hours
April through November
Monday - Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
December through March
Monday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
House of Delegates Clerk's Office
State Capitol, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Virginia, 23218 (804) 698-1619
Senate of Virginia Clerk's Office
State Capitol, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 396, Richmond, Virginia, 23218 (804) 698-7400
Capitol Tour Contact
The Capitol hostesses schedule and provide free Capitol tours. All groups should make tour reservations. Capitol tours last approximately 25 minutes and consist of visits to the old House of Delegates and Senate chambers and the Rotunda. Tours originate in the Rotunda on the 2nd floor of the Capitol (see Capitol tour map below).
When contacting the Capitol hostesses, be prepared to provide the following information:
-
Group name, tour coordinator, address, and telephone number.
-
Preferred date and time of visit (have alternate dates available).
-
Total number in group (maximum group size is 100).
-
Age or grade level of students.
Capitol Arrival, Parking, and Departure
Upon arrival, please refer to the following parking information:
-
Buses should proceed to the designated bus loop parking area adjacent to Capitol Square (see Capitol Square map below). Limited bus loop parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If that parking area is full, the Capitol Police will allow your group to disembark and will direct your driver to the overflow bus parking area near the Richmond Coliseum.
-
Buses parked in the bus loop will be allowed to remain for the duration of the group's Capitol visit. The group should return to the bus loop when ready for departure.
-
Buses parked in the overflow parking area will be allowed back in the bus loop area for pick up and departure. Please advise your bus driver of your scheduled departure time. Buses returning from the overflow parking area will not be allowed to remain in the bus loop for an extended period of time.
Capitol Tour Entrance and Exit Procedures
Once your group disembarks from the bus and assembles for the tour, please proceed to the north door of the
Capitol Tour Entrance (see Capitol Square Map).
The following Capitol entrance and exit procedures will be utilized for groups:
-
A group coordinator should check in with staff at the north door for entrance to the Capitol.
-
The group will be held at the north entrance until access to the Rotunda and Capitol hostesses is available.
-
It may become necessary to temporarily delay a group's entrance to the Capitol if the building capacity has been reached.
-
Restroom facilities, on the first floor of the Capitol, are available to the group at this time; however, a large group may be directed to facilities in another building.
-
Upon completion of the tour, the group will be directed to the east exit. Physically challenged visitors should use the elevators to exit the building.
Capitol Decorum
In order that all visitors may have a pleasant Capitol experience, please advise your group of the following guidelines:
-
In order to minimize hallway and stairwell congestion, the group should stay to the right and in single file.
-
Conversation should be kept to whisper level.
-
Food and drinks are not allowed in the Capitol tour area. (Note: If students are bringing bag lunches, they must be prepared to eat them outside or on the bus.)
-
Cameras are allowed in the Capitol tour area.
Visiting the General Assembly
The General Assembly convenes its annual session on the second Wednesday in January and is in session for 60 days in an even-numbered year and 30 days in an odd-numbered year. Generally, the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia convene their respective floor sessions at 12 daily, Monday through Friday. Weekend floor sessions are convened occasionally. Committees meet prior to and upon adjournment of each daily floor session.
If your group wishes to observe the General Assembly while visiting the Capitol, please refer to the following guidelines:
House and Senate Gallery Seating
-
Group gallery seating reservations are coordinated by the House and Senate Clerks' Offices. Please contact the respective Clerk's office for gallery seating reservations and additional information.
-
In order to accommodate as many groups as possible within the daily legislative timetable, reservations are required and gallery seating time limitations are exercised.
-
Please note that a gallery reservation does not guarantee that a group will be seated in the gallery. Gallery seating is limited and availability is dependent upon the length of the daily session and the number of visitors seeking admittance. In order to accommodate those who may not be seated in the gallery, monitors are available in all committee rooms for viewing the session.
-
Cameras are allowed in the gallery, but flashes are not permitted.
House and Senate Committee Seating
-
Group seating is very limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
On a given day, there may be various committees and subcommittees meeting at the same time.
-
Committee meeting days and times may vary from the set committee schedule.
-
Cameras are allowed in committee rooms, but flashes are not permitted.
Interim Legislative Process Presentations
During the interim, when the General Assembly is not in session, the House and Senate Clerks' Offices will be glad to arrange a special presentation on the legislative process for your group. Please contact either Clerk's office for details.
Capitol Square Map
Capitol Tour Map
The
information on this page is provided courtesy of the Capitol
Visitor's Center.
|
|