The front doors of the Hall of State open into a semi-circular hall that holds six bronze statues of those who helped create the Republic of Texas. Sculptor Pompeo Coppini shows each hero either in a characteristic stance or at a decisive moment in his life.

A warm, relaxing atmosphere reflecting life in South Texas is shown in the mural by James Owen Mahoney, Jr. Allegorical figures symbolize the Gulf and mainland, with attributes of commerce and agriculture against a background of magnolias, palms, oleanders and Spanish moss. The walls of this room are burnished with aluminum leaf, a new material in 1936.

 

The North Texas Room features a fresco of "Old Man Texas." This popular early twentieth century cartoon character is surrounded by symbols of North Texas. In the center background, a farm stands against a huge bale of cotton. To the left, industry and manufacturing are shown; to the right, wealth and culture of the region. "Old Man Texas" embraces the two major cities of North Texas: Dallas and Fort Worth.

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The focal point of building is the Great Hall. On the far end of the hall is a gold medallion, twelve feet in diameter. The five-pointed star, the symbol of Texas, is surrounded by six female figures, each representing the history of Texas under the flag of six nations. These nations are: the Union, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, Mexico, France, and Spain.

The gum-paneled walls create the feeling of entering an East Texas forest. Photographs taken by Polly Smith show images of scenes throughout Texas in the early 1920s and 1930s. This versital, spacious room can accommodate many different set-up reqirements.