If you have been following us for a while, you may have noticed that we love visiting State Capitols. Most are beautiful and authoritative looking. But the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln is exceptional!
Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
The exterior of the Nebraska Capitol building is very Art Deco, which is my favorite period in architecture and design. Once inside it feels more like an extraordinary art museum with an eclectic array of art and artistry.
The state of Nebraska drew its name from the Otoe-Missouria Indians’ words meaning “flat water”, when it was created in 1867.
When Europeans arrived on American soil they wanted to control the land and everything on it with little regard for the people who were already living there. To the detriment of the indigenous people tribal land was taken by skirmishes and treaty. Due to the Oregon Trail and the transcontinental railroad the tribal claims to western homelands was further eroded and finally reservations were established.
Third Capitol
Stunning arched corridor on the first floor of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
Another of the vestibule murals about Nebraska farmers
The U.S. government enacted policies to assimilate tribal people into the dominant culture from the early 1800s through the 1950s. The Nebraska State Capitol that we toured, which is actually the 3rd one, was built in the 1920s. At that time attempts were ongoing to eliminate Native American culture. What we found interesting and admirable, was that Hartley Burr Alexander, U. of Nebraska Professor of Philosophy, encouraged a thematic program to the Capitol building. It stood out because he included, rather than eliminated, Native American culture in the story of Nebraska.
Native American themed hand carved doors leading to the East Legislative Chamber
There are wonderful artistic details throughout the building that represent Nebraska’s first People. You can see this in the symbolism of the chambers that are open to the public and used by the 3 branches of government. To quote the website: “When Capitol architect Bertram Goodhue proposed to place winged bison on the north steps as a prairie interpretation of the winged figures used on ancient temple gates, Alexander convinced him an accurate representation of the Plains Indian cultural icon was more appropriate. Together, Capitol architect Bertram Goodhue, thematic consultant Hartley Burr Alexander, sculptor Lee Lawrie and mosaicist Hildreth Meiere created an artistic program–progressive for the time–in the nation’s first truly vernacular state Capitol.”
Project Phases and Timeline
Nebraska State Legislative Chamber
Nebraska Supreme Court Chambers
Rotunda Arched ceiling
Responding to the competition requirement the the new building had to be built in a fiscally responsible way, Bertram Goodhue’s “cross within square” floor plan enabled construction to start around the old Capitol while it was still occupied, allowing the government to continue conducting state business. Once the new portion of the Capitol was completed, the offices were moved into the new portion and the old building was razed.
Buzzer limits how long you can talk in the Supreme Court Chambers
Gorgeous ceiling in the Nebraska Supreme Court Chambers
The second phase of construction included the east side of the square and the north, south and east arms of the cross. The third phase of construction completed the tower. “In the final phase, workers finished the remaining west arm of the cross, completing the building in 1932 after ten years of construction. When landscaping was completed in 1934, the Capitol was fully paid for at a cost of $9.8 million.”
Murals and Paintings
Mosaic covered dome in the vestibule of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
Another rotunda in the magnificent Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
One of three mosaics on the floor which represent the Earth, “The Spirit of the Soil”, “The Spirit of Vegetation” and “The Spirit of Animal Life” created by Hildreth Meiere
The Capitol’s architect, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, included spaces on the walls of public areas for large scale public murals in his design. “The themes of these murals were discussed by Goodhue and thematic consultant Hartley Burr Alexander, and included in Alexander’s overall thematic program. On second floor, three were to be in the Vestibule, six in the Foyer and three in the Rotunda. These twelve murals were to illustrate Nebraska manifestations of each chamber’s overall theme as indicated by the floor and ceiling mosaics of Hildreth Meiere. In the octagonal Memorial Chamber on 14th floor at the top of the office tower, eight murals were to be installed.
Mosaic of the Blizzard of 1888 by artist Jeanne Reynal
Jeanne Reynal’s mural includes gold Venetian glass tiles to reflect sunlight. Mural honors the Nebraska Tree Planters
Mural by Kenneth Evett represents Labor of the Head with sciences such as biology and engineering in the east rotunda
The 20 large scale wall murals were commissioned in separate nationwide competitions.
Sunrise and sunset murals in the vestibule represent pioneer farmers arriving in Nebraska
Artist F. John Miller depicts the development of Nebraska based on the expansion of the railroad
Marxhausen’s mosaic represents the technologies and techniques used to build Nebraska’s State Capitol
The first murals commissioned were the rotunda murals. Created by Colorado artist Kenneth Evett, they were installed in 1956. In 1962 Missourian James Penney won the competition for the Vestibule murals, installed in 1963. Then, with the state’s centennial approaching in 1967, the six large scale mosaics in the great hall or foyer were commissioned in two separate competitions. Jeanne Reynal, an abstract expressionist mosaicist won in both, as did artist and Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska art teacher Reinhold Marxhausen. Arizona artist Charles Clement and Canadian artist F. John Miller were each commissioned to create the remaining mosaic in each competition. Finally, in a 1990 competition, Omaha artist Stephen C. Roberts was commissioned to fill the eight blanks spaces in the 14th floor Memorial Chamber. They were installed in 1996 and completed Alexander’s original Capitol thematic program.”
Honoring William Frederick Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill
Willa Cather, Nebraska author who was elected to the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 1962
In the Vestibule artwork, Dr. Hartley Burr Alexander’s theme of Nature’s Gifts to Man on the Plains was represented by Hildreth Meiere in polychrome Guastavino tile ceiling mosaics depicting the historic significance of agriculture to developing civilization. On the walls, Alexander established the events leading to the agricultural foundation of Nebraska by the early pioneers, the homesteader’s campfire, the first furrow and the house raising. These subjects were to be interpreted by the artist. Alexander went so far as to suggest the use of warm tones and the time of day appropriate for each scene.
Memorial Chamber
Nebraskans in Military Service by Stephen Roberts
Firefighters and police keep Nebraska safe, one of the 8 murals by Stephen Roberts in the Capitol
The Memorial Chamber is the central room of the 14th Floor Observation Level. It’s dedicated to the various forms of heroism called for in the public service and in devotion to humanity. “The dignity of the Chamber is derived from the monumental use of black marble-Black Belgian, Italian Porto Oro, and Vermont Verde Antique. The inscription beneath the murals is taken from Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. The dome quietly represents the evening sky, and the chandelier the evening star shining in it.”
The Ideal of Freedom by Stephen Roberts
Nebraskans help feed the hungry by Stephen Roberts
The 8 stunning murals in the Memorial Chamber represent the heroism associated with Nebraska history. They were added in 1996 and painted by Nebraska artist Stephen Roberts. Four of the murals have military themes and the other four have civic themes.
Memorial Chamber on the 14th floor of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
View from the 14th Floor
The octagonal Memorial Chamber sits at the top of the square office tower of the Nebraska State Capitol. The 14th floor observation decks are located at the top of the square office tower around the perimeter of the Memorial Chamber and the views are spectacular!!!
The Ideal of Universal Peace by Stephen Roberts
Nebraska’s medical professionals work to safeguard public health
This free guided tour was so fabulous that The Traveling Locavores highly recommend you put it on your itinerary if visiting Nebraska.
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