Centennial events start to take shape for MSCC

This is part of a series on the Missouri State Capitol Commission and their endeavors to repair, renovate, and restore the Missouri State Capitol.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In the last hours of veto session, HB 1359 failed to reach the senate floor after senate action halted following the abortion waiting period PQ.

HB 1359 (and its companion SB 674) provides that the Missouri State Capitol Commission shall have the sole authority to enter into contracts with vendors for the sale of items and food and beverages for events held at the state capitol. Such events shall be limited to those commemorating the anniversaries of the state capitol and the state of Missouri. Rep. Tom Flanigan (R-Carthage) and Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) sponsored the bills; both members also serve on the Commission. The bill would have expired December 31, 2024, when the final centennial celebration is to take place.

The governor’s veto letter shared that while Gov. Jay Nixon acknowledges the purpose of the legislation, he did not believe that the sale of alcohol was one “that taxpayers expect their elected representatives to address.”

“We should not sell alcohol in the Capitol,” reads the letter.

“It was never our intent to have a beer garden or sell drink tickets here,” said MSCC Chairman Dana Rademan Miller. “We thought that it would be nice to have events commemorating the dedication of the building or the commemoration of the capstone, which we are statutorily tasked with doing.”

Miller shared that the Commission liked the idea of having Missouri wineries attend events and to allow attendees to buy products themselves from vendors. Currently, wineries, distilleries, and breweries regularly come to the Capitol for sampling events with legislators and staff.

“We have that sort of thing going on already. This legitimized the Commission’s role in hosting events and our involvement in hosting events in the centennial planning. Part of our goal is to raise awareness and funds for the building’s restoration,” Miller said. “Currently, the Commission is prohibited from selling items within the building—we are unable to sell tickets for events; we cannot sell commemorative items or souvenirs.”

Centennial celebrations in the Capitol started last year, with an ice cream social in the 3rd floor rotunda. Ice cream sundaes were served in glass pint glasses engraved with the groundbreaking anniversary.

The next celebration may occur in June 2015, with the centennial of the laying of the Capitol cornerstone, which can be found on the southeast corner of the building. Inside the capstone is a time capsule, MSCC Chairman Dana Rademan Miller told The Missouri Times.

Miller has been told to not be surprised if nothing in the time capsule is recoverable, depending on exposure to the elements.

The centennial of the capstone, located on the top of the dome, is December 5, 2016.

The design competition and construction of the current Capitol:

The Third Capitol and its burning: