Your Key to the Virginia General Assembly
Key Moments in Virginia History
Key Moments in Virginia History
Thomas Jefferson agreed to design the Capitol and the cornerstone was laid.
Image courtesy of the Library of Virginia.
The General Assembly began meeting in Mr. Jefferson’s Capitol.
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.
Helen Moore Henderson and Sarah Lee Fain were the first women to serve in the House of Delegates.
Images courtesy of DOME.
William Reid was the first African-American to serve in the House of Delegates after Reconstruction.
Image courtesy of DOME.
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.
L. Douglas Wilder was the first African-American elected to serve in the Senate after Reconstruction.
Sallie McCutcheon was the first female Page appointed in the Senate.
Image courtesy of Sallie McCutcheon.
Carolyn Burfeind and Colleen Hallahan were the first female Pages appointed in the House.
Image courtesy of Daily News-Record, January 11, 1973.
Eva Scott was the first woman to serve in the Senate.
Yvonne B. Miller was the first African-American woman elected to the Senate.
In 2007, a new underground addition to the Capitol opened under the South Lawn.
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.
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.
...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.
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
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.
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