| In part two of our trip along the Missouri | | | | Learn everything you want to know about |
| Rhineland, we're going to visit Jefferson City, the | | | | Missouri's habitats by visiting the Runge |
| State Capital of Missouri. Jefferson City was | | | | Conservation Nature Center. This indoor/outdoor |
| created specifically for the purpose of being | | | | facility features exhibits that teach you about |
| Missouri's State Capital It was designed by Daniel | | | | wildlife in Missouri's wetlands, agricultural lands, |
| Morgan Boone, son of the famous frontiersman | | | | rivers and streams, ponds and lakes, prairies, |
| and incorporated in 1825. In 1837 the State Capitol | | | | glades, forests and caves. You can even learn |
| burned to the ground and destroyed all of the | | | | how to create a wildlife habitat in your own |
| State's records. A new Capitol was built in 1842. | | | | backyard. The center features a 2,400 gallon |
| Jefferson City's 1840 population stood at almost | | | | aquarium which gives you a close up look at |
| 1,200 people of whom over 250 were slaves. The | | | | some of the fish that inhabit Missouri's ponds and |
| abundance of slavery in Missouri caused the State | | | | lakes. Before or after you enjoy the Conservation |
| to be divided during the Civil War. The State | | | | Center's 3,000 square feet of exhibits, take a |
| Assembly met at the State Capitol and voted to | | | | hike on any of their six nature trails. The entire |
| remain in the Union but Governor Claiborne F. | | | | indoor area and one hiking trail are handicapped |
| Jackson, who favored slavery, led a group of | | | | accessible. The indoor exhibits are open Monday - |
| 50,000 volunteers who joined Confederate forces | | | | Saturday from 8:00 to 5:00 and Sunday from |
| at Booneville. Union forces soon occupied | | | | noon to 5:00. The grounds open at 6:00 and close |
| Jefferson City and the State remained divided | | | | at varying times depending on the season. The |
| throughout the war and beyond. | | | | Runge Conservation Nature Center is closed on |
| In 1911, the State Capitol again burned to the | | | | New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. |
| ground. The current Capitol was completed in | | | | If you have time I'd also suggest you visit the |
| 1917 and dedicated in 1924. The building is | | | | Missouri Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City. The |
| symmetrical in shape, offering symbolic equality to | | | | mansion, which has been home to 34 Governors, |
| the House and Senate, and resembles the United | | | | is a great example of Renaissance Revival |
| States Capitol. The beautiful building is known for | | | | Architecture. The building has a mansard roof that |
| its statue of Thomas Jefferson at the south | | | | is crowned with iron grill work. It's four pink |
| entrance and its eight 48 foot columns on the | | | | columns, made of native Missouri Granite, |
| south side. Inside the building's rotunda, take in the | | | | beautifully offset the red brick structure. Inside, |
| spectacular view of the Capitol's dome and the | | | | the first floor was completely restored between |
| gorgeous 9,000 pound chandelier. The Capitol also | | | | 1976 and 1983 and is open for public tours. The |
| houses the State Museum. Free guided tours are | | | | other two floors are the private living quarters for |
| available seven days a week except for | | | | the Governor and his family. These are not open |
| Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter and | | | | to the public. |
| Thanksgiving. | | | | |