Tours
Sometimes you need to take a break, stretch your legs and take in all that the Capitol Complex has to offer. Take one of our informational tours or take some time to roam the hallowed halls on your own.
1:00 p.m. Capitol Tour
Keep your coats, if weather permits you may also get an outside view.
Led by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol
Location: Meet in the Capitol Rotunda
3:45 p.m. State Archives Tour
Led by David A. Joens, Director of Illinois State Archives
Location: Margaret Cross Norton Building, Guides will lead your from the Visitor Center Complex to the State Archives building, just a short walk away, following the 2:15 p.m. program.
The Margaret Cross Norton Building houses the State Archives and a lot of history. Construction of the building began in 1936 and was completed in 1938. It was designed to protect the state’s valuable historic records from the hazards of fire, theft and exposure. It is architecturally unique, having no windows on the fourth through seventh floors. The State Archives building was renamed in 1995 in honor of former State Archives Superintendent Margaret Cross Norton, the state’s first head archivist.
OUR GUIDE
David Joens
Director of the Illinois State Archives
The Illinois State Archives is the state agency responsible for the preservation of historic Illinois state and local government records. A fifth-generation resident of Illinois, Joens received his Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, two Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and a doctorate in Illinois history from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He is the author of three books on Illinois history and government, including “From Slave to State Legislator: John W. E. Thomas, Illinois’ First African American Lawmaker,” published by SIU Press.