Your Key to the Virginia General Assembly
Key Moments in Virginia History
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Key Points in Time for Mr. Jefferson's Capitol
Key Points in Time for Mr. Jefferson's Capitol
1785
1785
Thomas Jefferson agreed to design the Capitol and the cornerstone was laid.
1788
1788
Image courtesy of the Library of Virginia.
The General Assembly began meeting in Mr. Jefferson’s Capitol.
1906
1906
John Peebles designed the west and east wings of the Capitol. It took two years to complete the wings. They were finished in 1906.
The Senate meets in the west wing and the House of Delegates meets in the east wing.
1924
1924
Helen Moore Henderson and Sarah Lee Fain were the first women to serve in the House of Delegates.
Images courtesy of DOME.
1967
1967
William Reid was the first African-American to serve in the House of Delegates after Reconstruction.
Image courtesy of DOME.
1968
1968
Image courtesy of Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 10, 1968.
Vincent Tucker was the first African-American Page appointed in the Senate.
Thomas O. Sanderson was the first African-American Page appointed in the House.
Image courtesy of The Afro-American, January 27, 1968.
1969
1969
L. Douglas Wilder was the first African-American elected to serve in the Senate after Reconstruction.
1971
1971
Sallie McCutcheon was the first female Page appointed in the Senate.
Image courtesy of Sallie McCutcheon.
1973
1973
Carolyn Burfeind and Colleen Hallahan were the first female Pages appointed in the House.
Image courtesy of Daily News-Record, January 11, 1973.
1980
1980
Eva Scott was the first woman to serve in the Senate.
1988
1988
Yvonne B. Miller was the first African-American woman elected to the Senate.
2007
2007
In 2007, a new underground addition to the Capitol opened under the South Lawn.
Key Moments in Virginia History
Key Moments in Virginia History
First President of the United States
First President of the United States
George Washington
A statue honoring George Washington is located in the Rotunda of the Capitol.
The Rotunda is located between the Senate Chamber and the House Chamber.
Designed the Virginia State Capitol
Designed the Virginia State Capitol
Thomas Jefferson
The Capitol was completed in 1788. Jefferson was the third President of the United States. He is known as the author of the Declaration of Independence. His name is one of seven on a tablet in the Senate Chamber at the State Capitol honoring the Virginians who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Virginia is known as...
Virginia is known as...
...the "Mother of Presidents".
Eight U.S. Presidents, including Washington and Jefferson, were born in Virginia. A bust honoring each Virginia-born president can be found in the Capitol Rotunda.
Virginia as the "Mother of Presidents" (Interactive Activity)
Virginia as the "Mother of Presidents" (Interactive Activity)
Click here for directions.
Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents." This activity will give you key insight into each Virginian who served as President of the United States. Each one has a bust in the Virginia State Capitol.
Directions: Hover over the photo carousel and click the < left and right > buttons to change the photos. A brief description of each is in the caption underneath each picture.
Additional Resources Needed: None.
Plaque in the Virginia State Capitol - Image
Key Points in Time (Interactive Activity)
Key Points in Time (Interactive Activity)
Click here for directions.
Directions: Study the key points in time. Open the interactive activity in a separate window. Close or minimize this window. Match the names in each row to the correct year.
Other Resources Needed: None.
Key Moments in Virginia History (Printable Resource)
Key Moments in Virginia History (Printable Resource)
Click here for directions.
Directions: The handout is available in portable document format (.pdf). Click on the image below to open the file. This handout contains the same information that is available at the top of this page.
Additional Resources Needed: Printer and 8 1/2"x11" printer paper.
Key Moments in Virginia History - Printable Handout
YourKey_Key Moments.pdfPage updated
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