For the past decade, the Louisiana Old State Capitol Foundation has celebrated the history and lore of the Castle on the River by inviting craft distillers from across the state to gather under its iconic kaleidoscope dome for Spirits of Louisiana. The annual gala is an evening of revelry that welcomes dozens of guests to celebrate Louisiana’s rich history and culture while supporting the museum’s programming through fundraising. Perhaps this year you have heard more about the event, been extended a personal invitation or seen city tastemakers talking about it on social media. That’s thanks to The Castle Circle.

“We’re raising awareness and bringing attention to the beauty of the building. People who are artistic and appreciate that might see it in a different light once they see this next generation being excited about it.

—Kayla Childress

Kayla Childress launched the awareness-focused social committee to usher in a new perspective on the Old State Capitol among Baton Rouge residents and natives. Comprised of creatives, civic leaders and business owners, the group members are using their individual platforms to spotlight the Old State Capitol’s architecture, design and place in modern culture and promote Spirits of Louisiana.

“We’re raising awareness and bringing attention to the beauty of the building,” Childress explains. “People who are artistic and appreciate that might see it in a different light once they see this next generation being excited about it.”

Childress first fell in love with the historic architecture and design of the Old State Capitol while working there at the beginning of her career, before she spent over a decade in nonprofit work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When museum director Mary Durusau tapped her for ideas on invigorating multigenerational interest, the idea for The Castle Circle took shape.

“Kids come for school tours, and we see families when they have young kids, but then we don’t really see them again,” Durusau says. “But working the front desk here is like being at the United Nations. You can’t believe how far people come to see it.”

The state funds the grounds’ maintenance projects, but money raised by the foundation helps the museum of political history secure traveling exhibits and develop special programming for all ages. One of the latest special exhibits that was developed in-house details the construction processes of the castle, complete with replicas of the building before and after the infamous fire that gutted it during the Civil War, along with an original diary of James Dakin, the famed architect responsible for its reconstruction and many of the state’s most recognizable buildings.

Earlier this year, the museum displayed the original Louisiana Purchase document after loaning it from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. These items, collections and a favorite stop during school tours, “The Ghost of the Castle” immersive 4-D presentation, are all made possible by the support of the foundation and funds raised during Spirits of Louisiana.

The dedication of Louisiana’s people has preserved the Castle on the River time after time, through decades of toil and triumph. And now, another renaissance is beginning thanks to The Castle Circle.

This year’s Spirits of Louisiana event will take place on October 29 and feature a French nightlife theme. For tickets and more information, visit louisianaoldstatecapitol.org/exhibits-events/spirits-of-louisiana.