In Podcast #4 the Virginia Trekkers take you to the heart of Virginia’s government, the Capitol building, where the General Assembly meets to pass laws for Virginia.  Learn the difference between “capital” and “capitol”; find out how Thomas Jefferson was inspired by a Roman temple when he designed the Capitol building; explore the Senate Chamber and the House of Delegates; discover why many people were injured in a Capitol tragedy; and see the first and only true-to-life statue made of George Washington.  Come on!  Let’s go trekkin’! (Trouble viewing the YouTube video? Try Vimeo or direct link).

A time capsule is buried under the state seal in the floor of the visitors lobby.  Inside are various objects showing what life was like in 2007 such as an iPod, a cell phone, a 2007 almanac, a digital camera, and lots of other cool things. See a list of all the items in the time capsule here. Another state seal front of the main entrance (pictured) is actually a skylight for part of the Capitol grounds below. It is directly over a statue of Thomas Jefferson (and it sometimes leaks on him)! You can see it in the virtual tours below.


Here is a Google map of the Virginia Capitol. Use the +/- buttons in the bottom right to zoom in or out.



This is a 360 view outside the Virginia Capitol. Take a look around!



This is a 360 view inside the Virginia Capitol. Use the arrows to explore!


Social Studies

1.2 (2015) The student will demonstrate knowledge of Virginia history by describing important events and people in the history of the Commonwealth, including

b) famous Virginians, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who helped form a new nation;


1.12 (2015) The student will recognize the symbols and traditional practices that honor the Commonwealth of Virginia by

a) identifying the Virginia flag, state capitol building, state bird, and state flower;


1.13 (2015) The student will understand that the people of Virginia

a) have state and local government officials who are elected by voters;


1.3 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the symbols and traditions that honor and foster patriotism in the United States by

c. identifying the Virginia flag, state capitol building, the cardinal as the state bird, and the dogwood as the state flower;


2.4 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to recognize state and national symbols, including but not limited to

a. locating the Virginia and United States capitals and Capitol buildings;


3.3 (2015) The student will explain how the contributions of ancient Greece and Rome have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, government (direct and representative democracy), and sports.


3.12 (2015) The student will recognize the importance of government in the community, Virginia, and the United States of America by

a) explaining the purpose of laws;

b) explaining that the basic purposes of government are to make laws, carry out laws, and decide if laws have been broken; and


3.6 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the geographic, political, economic, social structures, and innovations of ancient Greece by

e. identifying and explaining the architecture and its influence in the world today.


3.9 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the basic structure of the United States government by

c. identifying and describing the three branches of government;

d. explaining what governments do at the national, state, and local level; and e. explaining how local, state and national governments are organized.


VS.3d (2015) The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America by

d) identifying the importance of the Virginia Assembly (1619) as the first representative legislative body in English America;


VS.5 (2015) The student will demonstrate an understanding of the role of Virginia in the American Revolution by

d) examining the reasons for the relocation of Virginia’s capital from Williamsburg to Richmond.


VS.10 (2015) The student will demonstrate knowledge of government, geography, and economics by

a) identifying the three branches of Virginia government and the function of each;


VS.3 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the causes and effects of events associated with the first permanent English settlement in North America by

g. identifying the significance of establishing the General Assembly (1619), the first representative legislative body in English America.


VS.5 (2023) The student will apply history and social science skills to explain Virginia and Virginians’ role during the American Revolution by

c. identifying the reasons for the relocation of Virginia’s capital from Williamsburg to Richmond;