Virginia General Assembly unveils interactive exhibit on Capitol’s history, democracy

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia General Assembly has launched a new permanent interactive exhibit, "PEOPLE. BUILDING. DEMOCRACY," which is designed to deepen public engagement with the Capitol's history, architecture and democracy.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Clerks of the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia announced the debut of “PEOPLE.  BUILDING.  DEMOCRACY" -- which explores the Capitol's history, architecture and democratic process.

The immersive experience transforms the Capitol Visitor Center into an interactive space where visitors can explore the story of the Capitol and learn how legislation is created and passed in Virginia, according to a release.

The exhibit marks the final milestone in a series of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, streamlining the visitor experience and strengthening civic engagement with the General Assembly and the State Capitol, per a release.

“We set out to give the Virginia State Capitol the museum-quality visitor experience it deserves – and I believe we’ve exceeded that goal,” said G. Paul Nardo, Clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates, in a press release. “Seeing this seven-year effort come to life is truly gratifying because we are not only a working place of government, but also a popular historic destination.”

The exhibit will be able to experience the following:

• PEOPLE: A gallery of nearly 250 custom-commissioned digital watercolors highlighting individuals who shaped and enriched the Capitol's story. Interactive kiosks on the South walls invite visitors to learn more about the varied people and their unique “Capitol Connection.”
• BUILDING: A first-of-its-kind translucent 3D-printed scale model of the Capitol uses a large LED surface as its base.  Visitors learn the history of Capitol Square over the centuries and its neighbors through a unique projected video documentary built from maps and satellite views.
• DEMOCRACY: An interactive ball machine that demonstrates the journey of a bill as it moves through the legislative process. The machine stands eight feet tall and shows the key steps in Virginia’s legislative process. A kiosk near the machine on the east wall allows visitors to explore the details of how a bill becomes law in Virginia.

“Virginia’s Capitol welcomes thousands of visitors each month, from students to national and international tourists to lifelong Virginians,” said Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk of the Senate, in a press release. “This new exhibit offers a state-of-the-art, unforgettable welcome into our Capitol and Capitol Square for visitors of all ages.”

A new architectural exhibit featuring a dollhouse-style model of the State Capitol built from nearly 50,000 LEGO bricks is at the center, according to a release.

Officials said those unable to experience the Capitol in person are encouraged to use a state-of-the-art virtual tour, created by Matterport and announced by the Clerks in October 2025.

The virtual tour has already been incorporated into the recently designed Virginia General Assembly website.