A Look at the Virginia General Assembly

Virginia State Capitol

A Look at the Virginia State Capitol

Senate

Legislative Branch
40 Senators
Each member serves a four-year term.
The Presiding Officer is the Lieutenant Governor.
The Clerk of the Senate serves as the Chief Administrative Officer.
The Senate meets on the second floor the West Wing of the Capitol.

Governor

Executive Branch
The Governor serves a four-year term and cannot serve consecutive terms.
All legislation passed by the Senate and House is reviewed by the Governor.
The Governor has an office on the third floor of the Capitol.

House of Delegates

Legislative Branch
100 Delegates
Each member serves a two-year term.
The Presiding Officer is the Speaker.
The Clerk of the House serves as the Chief Administrative Officer.
The House meets on the second floor the East Wing of the Capitol.

A Look at the Virginia State Capitol Through Time

1619

The first English-speaking representative assembly in America met at Jamestown in 1619.

1699

The General Assembly of 1699 decided to move the capital of Virginia from Jamestown to Williamsburg.

Williamsburg was situated at a higher elevation than Jamestown. The capital of Virginia remained in Williamsburg until 1780.

1780

The General Assembly of 1780 decided to move the capital of Virginia to Richmond. The population was moving west and Richmond’s central location favored trade.

The Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson and first used in 1788. The design was based on the Maison Carrée in France where Jefferson served as U.S. Ambassador.

1906 & 2007

Wings were added to the Capitol in 1906 for the Senate and House. In 2007, a new underground addition opened under the South Lawn which includes a gift shop, exhibit space, and meeting rooms.

A Look Inside the Virginia State Capitol

Senate Chamber

House of Delegates Chamber

A Senator's Desk: A Look Up Close

Senate Chamber Desks_A Look (1).mp4

A Delegate's Desk: A Look Up Close

House Chamber Desks_A Look.mp4

A Look at the Senate Chamber and House Chamber - Matching (Videos)

Click here for directions.

Directions: Each video will give you a look at the primary features in each legislative chamber. For each feature, you will see an incomplete sentence followed by three choices that complete the description. There are 11 primary features in the Senate Chamber and 8 in the House Chamber.

Additional Resources Needed: None.

Matching - Senate Chamber

A Look_Senate Chamber.mp4

Matching - House Chamber

A Look_House Chamber.mp4

A Look at the Senate Chamber and House Chamber - Matching (Interactive Activities)

Click here for directions.

Directions: There are 11 clues in the Senate Chamber and 8 clues in the House Chamber. For each clue, there are three choices. Start with clue A in each activity and proceed to other clues in alphabetical order. Watch both videos in the previous section, prior to starting these activities.

Additional Resources Needed: None.

Matching - Senate Chamber

Matching - House Chamber

A Look at the Senate and House Chambers - Matching (Printable Activities)

Click here for directions.

Directions: For each activity, start with clue A and write in the number you think matches the letters in each circle. Correctly match 11 items in the Senate Chamber, and correctly match 8 items in the House Chamber.

Additional Resources Needed: Printer, 11"x17" printer paper (for the chamber photos), and a pen or pencil.

Match the Number / Letter - Senate Chamber

A_Look_2019-senate.pdf

Answer Key: Match the Number / Letter - Senate Chamber

A LOOK_ A Look at the Senate Chamber (printable version) Answer Key.pdf

Match the Number / Letter - House Chamber

A_Look_2019-house.pdf

Answer Key: Match the Number / Letter - House Chamber

A LOOK_ A Look at the House Chamber (printable version) Answer Key.pdf