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The Texas State Capitol is a beautiful government building in Austin, Texas. It’s the seat of government for the State of Texas and a National Historic Landmark. This entry covers the legislative chambers in the building.
The Texas Legislature meets in two chambers on opposite wings of the building. The main floor of each chamber is accessible from the second floor while public galleries surround the chambers on the third floor.
Senate Chamber
The Senate Chamber is on the east wing of the Texas State Capitol. It hosts the Texas Senate, which is the upper house of the legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate holding four year terms. The number of senators has remain unchanged since the building opened in 1888.
The Senate Chamber still contains the original walnut desks and podium purchased in 1888 for the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Senate, and 31 senators. Two brass chandeliers installed around 1890 hang from the center of the ceiling. The portrait of Stephen F. Austin hanging behind the Lieutenant Governor’s desk dates back to around 1836.
Several historic paintings decorate the chamber, including Dawn at the Alamo. It was painted in 1905 by Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908) and measures eight feet tall by 13 feet wide.
House of Representatives Chamber
The House of Representatives Chamber is on the west wing of the Texas State Capitol. It hosts the Texas House of Representatives, which is the lower house of the legislature. There are 150 members of the house holding two year terms. When the building opened, there were only 106 members.
The original battle flag carried by Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, hangs behind the rostrum used by the Speaker of the House. A replica flag hangs in its place when the House is not in session.
The House of Representatives Chamber, which is the largest room in the building, has been restored to its 1909 appearance.
