Construction of the Kansas Statehouse began in October 1866, with the legislature first taking their seats in the unfinished East wing in 1870. Work continued on the building throughout the next three decades, finally being completed in 1903. In 1937 a Kansas born artist, John Steuart Curry, was selected to portray the state’s story in murals on the second floor. A centerpiece of the project was titled Tragic Prelude. Here, Curry created an image of John Brown that remains one of the most recognized depictions of the abolitionist in the world. Curry’s mural shows Brown in all of his fury, with arms outstretched, holding a Bible in one bloodied hand and a Sharps rifle in the other, as a twister and prairie fire rage behind him.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
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Kansas Statehouse
Learn about the history of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas.
Date created:
06/09/2023
Audio Transcript
Construction of the Kansas Statehouse began in October 1866, with the legislature first taking their seats in the unfinished East wing in 1870. Work continued on the building throughout the next three decades, finally being completed in 1903. In 1937 a Kansas born artist, John Steuart Curry, was selected to portray the state’s story in murals on the second floor. A centerpiece of the project was titled Tragic Prelude. Here, Curry created an image of John Brown that remains one of the most recognized depictions of the abolitionist in the world. Curry’s mural shows Brown in all of his fury, with arms outstretched, holding a Bible in one bloodied hand and a Sharps rifle in the other, as a twister and prairie fire rage behind him.
Kansas Statehouse
Learn about the history of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas.
Date created:
06/09/2023
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service