Old Capitol Has Fresh 1867 Look

MILLEDGEVILLE, GA-The Old Capitol, after falling into decay, has been restored to its 1867 grandeur in a two-year, $10 million renovation. This central Georgia city, about 95 miles southeast of Atlanta, was the state capital from 1804 until 1868 when the seat of government moved to Atlanta.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the three-story building is considered the first example of Gothic architecture in a public site in the United States.

The ground floor houses a history museum. The second floor serves as classrooms and offices for the Georgia Military College, which has used the building as its headquarters since the school was chartered in 1879.

The third floor showcases the restored legislative chamber with many original pieces of furniture.

The college spearheaded the restoration. The building was expanded from its original design and has survived at least two major fires in 1894 and 1941. It was vandalized, but not burned by General Sherman’s troops in 1964 on their march to the sea.