Capitol of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, from the General Government and State Capitol Buildings series (N14) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Here is the audio guide script: Allen & Ginter's chromolithograph depicts Louisiana's Capitol in Baton Rouge, part of a series for cigarette brands. The architecture evokes a medieval castle, complete with towers and crenellations—symbols of power and authority. These motifs are not new; they echo throughout history. The tower, a symbol of aspiration and defense, appears in the Tower of Babel, reaching for the heavens, and in countless fortresses designed to protect and dominate. This reaching motif speaks to the collective, subconscious desire for security, control, and legacy. Consider the emotional resonance of these structures: the imposing height, the solid, unyielding stone. These elements convey a sense of permanence and strength, yet, like all symbols, they are subject to the flux of time. Over time, the meaning shifts, blending aspirations and security. The echoes of these symbols reverberate through our collective memory, reappearing in new forms and contexts, forever transformed yet forever familiar.