In addition to the dais, the Senate chamber is home to many fine examples of wood craftsmanship.

Individual desks (shown above) provide seating for the 34 senators who serve in the upper chamber. Made of American Walnut, the desks used by current senators are the same desks installed in the Senate chamber when the State Capitol was completed in 1917.

In the Senate chamber, senators are seated by seniority, not political party, with the most senior members seated in the rear of the chamber. The Missouri Senate is one of the few legislative bodies throughout the country where its members are not seated according to political party. Senators’ desks are numbered by district.

The chamber is flanked by two large tables, both of which are reserved for Senate and senators’ staff to assist members while the Senate is in session.

In addition, there is a row of benches in front of the dais (shown below right) that serve as seating for special guests/pages of the day. Often, groups will use these benches to pose for photos when the Senate is in recess or adjourned.