Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Activity Overview

Louisiana's Old State Capitol is a historic landmark and museum located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It served as the home of the Louisiana State Legislature from the mid-1800s until 1932, when it moved within Baton Rouge to its current art deco-style building, which is the tallest capitol building in the United States.

Occasionally called the Louisiana Castle or the Castle of Baton Rouge by locals, this remarkable Neo-Gothic style building was designed to both look and be used like a castle. Visitors can learn all about its historical use as a garrison for troops during the Civil War in the museum it now contains, officially known as The Museum of Political History.

Things to Do

Visit the Museum of Political History to learn about key people and events from Louisiana's history. Interactive exhibits that feature and explain the museum's diverse array of historic artifacts help to make the visit more interesting for younger visitors.
Check out the museum's newest attraction, "The Ghost of the Castle". It is an immersive presentation that introduces visitors to the ghost of Sarah Morgan, a real Civil War-era figure who wrote about the building in her published diary, who fascinates viewers with her tales of Louisiana history.
Explore "The Legacy of Huey Long", an exhibit that looks at the life and death of a controversial former Louisiana governor. Visitors can listen to the audio recordings of his speeches and learn about the intriguing details of his assassination.

Louisiana's Old State Capitol Insider Tips

Stop into the Museum Shop on your way out to look at items for sale by local artists as well as souvenirs like jewelry, postcards, and toys.
Look at the museum's events page to find out if any exciting special events are going on during your visit.
Bring along a camera so that you can take photos in front of the impressive Old State Capitol building - your kids will love having a picture of themselves in front of a castle to show to all of their friends!