Home of NC legislature celebrates 50 years

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 7, 2013

RALEIGH (AP) — Some called the Legislative Building an architectural marvel, while others recalled getting lost in its maze of hallways.

But all lawmakers and other elected officials still celebrated Wednesday at observances for the 50th anniversary of the day the House and Senate officially moved into the Legislative Building. Lawmakers had served for more than a century in the old Capitol before moving in 1963.

Gov. Pat McCrory attended briefly the House session. Lawmakers passed a resolution that in part remembered building architect Edward Durell Stone. Legislators and staff later ate cake and sang “Happy Birthday.”

North Carolina was the first state to construct a building solely for its legislature.

The House also welcomed back 80 former members, including Attorney General Roy Cooper, former State Treasurer Richard Moore and ex-Speaker Joe Mavretic.