i knew she was senile when she was 95 years old and she started treating the right. i think what you are saying about mary todd lincoln and the different parts of her personality all of this is very much on target. ms. mcdermott: thank you. no question, i got off easy. [applause] to join the conversation like us on facebook. this year c-span is touring cities across the country exploring american history. a look at our recent visit to montgomery alabama.

watch american history tv all weekend every weekend. alabama state capitol is a very old and historic facility. from the civil war to civil rights. most historical capitals in the united states. with a six pointed star here. marking where jefferson davis become the first and only president of the confederate states of america. jefferson davis didn't stand on the daughters of the confederacy had the star cut and placed here. the capital was here until may

20, 1861. hundred and four years later dr. king led the voting rights march to the same place. stood at hisace first inaugural address. i trust thece: gauntlet before the feet of tyranny. now.gation segregation tomorrow. segregation forever. [applause] >> three historic events that took place here. the register of interior departments historical places. it burned to the ground in 1848. in 1851 the current capital was built on the same foundation. this is in 1851 structure.

the dexter avenue exit. it is dominated by a pair of spiral staircases. we are proud to have it in our played a large role in the design of this campus. mathematician covered bridge engineer. he was born into slavery. couldn't get credit for it because he was a slave. he petitioned to the tuscaloosa business council for his freedom. during reconstruction he returned. here he wasmpaign the first black person to serve in the legislature here in alabama.

wallace was the first and only female governor of the state of alabama. serve fourcted to years as governor. 16 months into her term, she died of cancer. we are one of two states to have an elected husband and wife serve as governor. the fergusons serves texas in the 20's. we've had them all as governor of alabama. he committed a murder. the person he shot was his wife's lover. it was ruled as a justifiable homicide. he was not convicted of murder.

which allow him to go on to become governor of alabama. clay married his first cousin. chatman.ruben in future 39 he married a 16-year-old girl. for elected officials working here. get a robert bentley is the 53rd governor of alabama. this is the south wing. we have the alabama state treasurer. the secretary of state. along with the governor. those of the elected officials in the state of alabama.

now moving into the old supreme court chamber. today they meet on dexter avenue. just two blocks down. a very historic room. carrying the remains of jefferson davis from louisiana to richmond was lying in state between these two columns for five hours. you can see the casket in the picture. mrs. davis was very passionate woman. she wrote as the train rolled into montgomery, she felt that it was fitting to allow the casketo stop and look united states among those he loved so much. we are now on the third floor of the alabama state capital. inside the capitol dome. and muralslds below

above. we became a state in 1819. this is william white drafting the first alabama constitution. he was appointed by james monroe who was the president of the united states. seals have a definite beginning a definite ending. the confederate states of america were formed. 11 states the confederacy. 13 original colonists. the firstdavis was and only president. our state name is alabama. a native american name. most of the cities and alabama have native american names. this chief led the drive in the tuscaloosa alabama area. they didn't spell it with that

she. they spelled with a k. we are now entering into the old senate chamber. we have 35 chairs. 35 members of the alabama state senate. house the senate in this room from 1851 to 1985. this is the most historic room in the capital. the confederate states of america was formed here. jefferson davis worked in this room for several months. floodlights in here are identical to what was there in 1861. either oil or gas fired lights. the space above is the gallery.

they can watch the lawmakers make the laws of alabama. we had the senate in this room from 1851 to 1985. the last room we will see is the old house of representatives. there are a hundred and five chairs. . froms to them in this room 1851 to 1985. this room is used on a continuous basis. the main purpose today is for the governor of alabama to deliver his or her state of the state address. there has been address delivered in alabama since 1851 we will

continue that. it tells the story of the entire southeast. >> civil war and civil rights is the focus, and america's civil war is the most studied subject in the world: by the american civil rights, and they both happened here. tour staffthe cities recently traveled to montgomery, alabama to learn about its rich history. learn about other stops on the ur at c-span. work. you are watching american history tv, all weekend, every weekend. announcer: each week, american artifacts takes you to museums and historic places to learn what artifacts revealed about american history. next, we visit the alexandria apothecary museum located in virginia just outside of sh