T h e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | Vo l u m e On e | Nu m b e r On e | Au g u s t 2 0 0 8

Final Phase of Masonry Project Nebraska Capitol Commission Membership

ebraska’s Landmark Capitol replacing the copper roof. The entire Dave Heineman Nis clad in Indiana Limestone. Exterior Masonry Project is to be Chairman When the children of pioneers built completed in 2010. The contractor, Governor the current Nebraska State Capitol Mark I Waterproofing working they anticipated they were building with the Office of the Capitol Mike Flood a statehouse to serve Nebraskans Commission, has completed the Vice-Chairman for hundreds restoration Speaker of the Legislature of years. In of the Janice Walker Nebraska’s north, south Court Administrator climate, with and west extreme entrances, Wayne Drummond fluctuations the east Dean of heat and entrance College of Architecture, UNL humidity, repair Michael Smith any masonry remains. Executive Director building These Nebraska State Historical Society will require entrances, routine as well as Bryce Neidig maintenance. the parapet Congressional District 1 To ensure the walls of the Stan Meradith longevity of Roofing contractors at work on west side cardinal Congressional District 2 the Capitol, pavilions, Jim Cudaback the Exterior Masonry Restoration are exposed to the elements on Congressional District 3 Project was begun in 1998. both sides. The freeze-thaw cycle The first major exterior of winter and yearly temperature Robert C. Ripley maintenance project undertaken extremes caused the stone to shift Secretary since the Capitol was completed position. Restoration involves Administrator in 1932 is reaching its final stages. the disassembly of the entrances, Office of Capitol Commission Following a survey of the Capitol’s building a reinforced poured limestone façade, a five phase concrete core and the restoration work plan was developed. Phase I and resetting of the limestone walls rebuilt and waterproofed the north and granite steps. The parapet entrance; the second phase relieved wall restoration involves a similar the stresses in the limestone facade process. As Mark I restores and of the tower, repaired elements tuck points the base, the roofing of the tower and tuck pointed subcontractor, Midland Engineering, the tower facade; the third phase will replace the entire copper roof of addressed the dome and drum the Capitol and upgrade the internal and included restoration of the roof drain system. The roof work Sower. The fourth and fifth phases has begun on the west side and will of the Exterior Masonry Project progress counterclockwise around are currently under way. These the Capitol. As the remaining work work phases involve tuck pointing is completed the construction yards the base of the Capitol, repairing will be removed and grass replanted the east and west entrances and on the grounds of the Capitol. 1 T h e Ca p i t o l So w e r | Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008 The People of the OCC Office of the Capitol Proper Cleaning Extends Life Commission OCC at Work

Administration Registered National Historic when the floor is limestone and Bob Ripley, Administrator ALandmark as unique as the readily absorbs spilled materials. A Tammy Honnor, Nebraska State Capitol requires sticky palm print on a window with Adminstrative Assistant a unique custodial maintenance bronze ornament isn’t cleaned with Tom Kaspar, Architect program. Cleaning methods at an easy spray and wipe. Mark Tonjes, Capitol Manager the Capitol have changed over the Twelve custodial contract years to reflect new and improved workers are busy each week night Archive techniques. The Capitol was one with the general cleaning of the Karen Wagner, Archivist of the first to ‘go green’ with the 250,000 sq. ft. Capitol. Four OCC use of pH neutral products for staff members do detail cleaning Carpentry general purpose cleaning and floor and restoration/renovation project Brett Daugherty, Shop Supervisor care, and the use of disinfectants cleaning. Day custodians handle Ron Dulas, Furniture Conservator which kill germs and bacteria recycling and keep rest rooms Roger Frink, but do not harm fixtures. Capitol clean and stocked. Shuman and his Hardware Conservator Conservation Supervisor Perry Capitol Commission staff are skilled Steve Janssen, Furniture Finisher Shuman understands the impact of custodians who take pride in their Phil Lagoni, Mason hundreds of workers and thousands work knowing they have an impact Mike Marshall, Cabinet Maker of visitors on the Capitol and the on preservation of the Capitol Bill McClurg, requirements of cleaning up after and its continued service to future Furniture Conservator them. Something as routine as a spill generations. on the floor becomes a challenge Custodial Perry Shuman, Capitol Conservation Supervisor Richard Mallam, Custodial Leader Capitol Commission Created Steve Miller, Custodial/Housekeeper Rich Naber, Custodial Leader n 1867, the Nebraska Legislature University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ipassed an act to appoint a College of Architecture, the Director Grounds Commission for the purpose of of the Nebraska State Historical Mike Hoppmann, locating the seat of government Society and one member appointed Arborist/Groundskeeper and the public buildings of the State by the Governor to represent each Mark Lofgreen, Groundskeeper of Nebraska. This Commission was of Nebraska’s three congressional Don Pracheil, Mechanic also given the task of advertising for districts. architects and specifications for the The Commission meets quarterly Maintenance Capitol and to raise money for the in the Capitol to review reports Michael Jordan, Shop Supervisor state building fund. on and oversee the maintenance Jerry Allen, Plumber Fifty years later the Nebraska and preservation of the Capitol, Kent Bonebright, Legislature created another Capitol to discuss and approve upcoming Sheet Metal Fabricator Commission to oversee the 1919 projects, to plan the annual Tahir Karimi, Electrician competition for and subsequent budget for the Office of the John Steele, construction of a new Capitol. Capitol Commission and to set Maintenance Technician The current Capitol Commission administrative policy for the is a descendent of these earlier Capitol. The group also meets Tours groups. The Nebraska Capitol annually with the Capitol Environs Roxanne Smith, Commission and its administrative Commission, a joint city/state body, Tourism Supervisor/ and operational arm, the Office to coordinate their mutual interests Special Events Coordinator of the Capitol Commission were in the Capitol, its site and environs John Little, Jr., Tourism Aide formed by legislation passed in 2004. with the City of Lincoln. Gloria Witherspoon, The Nebraska Capitol Commission Tourism Aide is chaired by the Governor and membership includes the Speaker of the Legislature, the State Court 2 Administrator, The Dean of the T h e Ca p i t o l So w e r | Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008

Cleaning Reveals Murals’ True Colors Conservation Projects rchitect Bertram Grosvenor The restoration of the other murals AGoodhue relied on University was more intensive. Reinhold of Nebraska professor Hartley Marxhausen used pieces of wood Burr Alexander, Ph.D. to develop and brick in addition to the glass. a thematic program for the Marxhausen also experimented decoration of the Nebraska State with adhesives. Jeanne Reynal’s Capitol. As the building was being installation technique included constructed between 1922 and sprinkling glass on the mortar 1932, these themes guided the design of floor and ceiling mosaics and exterior sculpture. The Great Depression caused the completion of the wall murals to be delayed. The twelve panels on second floor were added in the 1950’s and 60’s. The final murals, which completed Alexander’s thematic program, were dedicated in 1996 on the 14th floor. The murals added in the 1950’s and 60’s were in need of cleaning and restoration. Some of these murals showed signs of water staining as a result of leaks in the clerestory windows. These windows were restored and grouted as part of the Exterior Masonry Project. Once that work was complete it was time to clean the murals. During the summers of 2006 and 2007, fine art conservator Anne Rosenthal cleaned and restored the oil paintings and glass tile mosaic murals on second floor. In 2006 she restored the Vestibule and Rotunda murals, and in 2007 she Conservator Anne Rosenthal cleans returned to clean and restore the surface. These different the surface of a Kenneth Evett mural Foyer artwork. Restoration of the applications required special James Penney and Kenneth Evett attention. Anne Rosenthal oil paintings involved removing was able to develop dust from the surface, reattaching specialized cleaning and any delaminated sections and in restoration techniques fill painting where the paint had on site to successfully flaked off and been lost. Because the complete the restoration. four artists of the six murals in the Newly restored, color and Foyer used different techniques to detail come alive on the create and install their artwork, the murals in a way not seen treatment was as varied. Two of the since they were installed. murals required minimal treatment. Staff in the Capitol has Cleaning with detergent and a taken notice of the new soft brush removed 40 years of brilliance in the colors of the Detail of Marxhausen ‘s mosaic sun accumulated dust from the Charles glass tile mosaics. in Spirit of Nebraska mural Clement and F. John Miller mosaics. 3 T h e Ca p i t o l So w e r | Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008

West Chamber Restoration Begins

and coincides with the replacement of the copper roof of the Chamber. The major restoration work in the West Chamber began with the installation of protective covers for the desks and removal of the chairs. The leather doors in the Chamber were removed and the damaged pig skin is being replaced. Once scaffold was installed to allow access to the ceiling and walls, conservators began the restoration process. Conservators are using a brushed on latex poultice to remove soiling and staining from the Indiana Limestone and Guastavino Tile walls. Ceiling conservation work began with a thorough vacuuming of the walnut beamed ceiling. The next step was washing 70 years of accumulated dust and smoke from ceiling surfaces. The careful Detail cleaning the ceiling pon adjournment of the 100th restoration of the wood and gilt UNebraska Legislature in April ceiling will involve the reapplication 2008, the Office of the Capitol of shellac and gold leaf where Commission began a restoration missing or damaged by water leaks. project to prepare the Unicameral After a final rinse the ceiling work Chamber for its next 100 years of will be complete. Then Capitol service. This work compliments the Commission staff will replace blind restoration work done in the East and drapery hardware and reinstall 100th Legislature Chamber and Lounge in the 1990’s. repaired and cleaned blinds and Speaker Mike Flood at the February drapes. A contractor will apply adjourns; 14, 2008 Capitol Commission ultra-violet protective film to the meeting stated, “The West Chamber windows at this time. cleaning begins. is the people’s clearinghouse of Part of the restoration of the ideas, and as such needs to be Warner Chamber included the restored and maintained.” He manufacture of replica carpet for welcomed the scheduled work both Legislative Chambers. Carpet and expressed satisfaction that will be repaired using additional the George W. shelf stock acquired during the Norris Legislative carpet replacement. The final Chamber would stage of Chamber work will be the cleaned from top installation of new glass vestibule to bottom. doors at the Rotunda entrance Restoration to the Chamber. As work in the work in the Chamber winds down conservators West Chamber will move their activities to the and Lounge is West Legislative Lounge. Cleaning scheduled to be the lounge is the final step in this completed by restoration project. November 2008 A section of the West Chamber ceiling gold leaf 4 mural design shines after being cleaned T h e Ca p i t o l So w e r | Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008 BehindLegislative Lounges the Provide Private Scenes Space ertram Goodhue, Capitol had no private offices, Barchitect, was instructed to these lounges were provide appointed chambers comfortably furnished for the functions of Nebraska’s private spaces where government: the Governor’s Office, they could relax in a Legislative Chambers and Court quiet environment. Rooms and their associated suites The East Legislative of rooms. In 1932 Nebraska had Lounge was restored a bicameral legislature; the East in the mid-1990’s and Chamber housed the Senate and the the West Lounge is West Chamber held the House of being restored as part Representatives. The only offices of the current project. provided for legislators were their Adjacent to each desks in the chambers. It wasn’t until lounge was a private the 1974 completion of the State office for the presiding Office Building that private senator’s officer. The original offices became available. Lt. Governor’s Office, Originally, Legislators shared adjacent to the east a secretarial pool and legal staff. lounge, is currently used East Legislative Lounge Behind each Chamber was a by the Secretary of State and the ca. 1930 mailroom/cloakroom with a Speaker’s Office #2022 is a special locker area for personal items conference room for the Legislature. and a Legislative Lounge located Both of these offices have previously across the hall. Because legislators been restored. Lounge Furniture Restoration

he Legislative lounges reupholstered in Twere designed to match the leather matching architectural and decorative the original schemes of their associated burgundy and Legislative Chambers with green with black corresponding Native American washed colors. In and Pioneer details. However, the 2007 carpentry furniture purchased to appoint staff used an the lounges was the same. When existing couoch furnishing the Capitol in 1932, the and documents Replicated couch frame nears completion Capitol Commission purchased from the archive two large couches, four club chairs to replicated a and tables, and library tables for missing couch each room. Lining the perimeter from the floor walls of the lounges are built-iin up. With the upholstered benches. The lounges completion of each have operational fireplaces the West Lounge and Men’s Rooms. Office of the restoration this Capitol Commission staff have fall, senators worked since 1992 to restore will return to a these lounges with their original beautiful inviting furniture. In anticipation of lounge chamber for Leather couch in service in lounge restoration, OCC staff tracked down quiet relaxation, just as their these furnishings and reunited the predecessors enjoyed initially suites of original furniture. Once over 75 years ago. located, these furnishings were 5 T h e Ca p i t o l So w e r | Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008 What’sCapitol Old Collection Is Contribution New

he Office of the Capitol for the broken pieces of limestone TCommission is forever indebted in the tower. In fact, the Office of the to the Capitol Commission which Capitol Commission and the Indiana oversaw the competition and Limestone Company were able construction of the Goodhue to locate the quarry pit where the Capitol. This body, task completed, original stone for the Capitol was assembled all the materials, cut following a thorough search commission meeting minutes, of materials in their respective Catalog and sketch from archive; correspondence, archives. sketch served as the basis for couch replication architectural drawings, As the Office of the Capitol manufacturer’s Commission prepared for the catalogs, samples, etc. West Chamber project, the Capitol and stored them in a Archivist provided sections of the vault. These materials original pounce paper patterns form the nucleus used in the ceiling for reference. of the Nebraska (See detailed image below.) Using Capitol Collections. these stippled patterns and bags of Added to this are graphite craftsmen transferred the the furnishings and artist’s designs through the small office equipment holes in the paper onto the walnut purchased for beamed ceiling. With the stippled the Capitol and outlines to follow, they then brushed in service or on the gold leaf. Also useful was retired to the the correspondence between the collection. These architectural firm, the artists and records provide Thematic Consultant Dr. Hartley documentation Burr Alexander which helped staff to support the uncover why specific materials mission of were used and the intent of the the Office of architects and artists in choosing the Capitol them; this information also helps in Commission. the interpretation of the artwork for The Nebraska Capitol Collections guided tours. support the day to day mission The Capitol Collections provide of the Office of the Capitol information and specifications Commission. The architectural for staff as they replace missing drawings associated with the elements of the Capitol. As the Goodhue Capitol are used daily Legislative Lounge furniture by staff in the operation and restoration project progressed maintenance of the building, it was necessary to replace a and to support work on special missing couch. Capitol Furniture projects. The Capitol Archivist Conservation staff relied on the worked with the Project Architect Archivist to find a catalog submitted for the Exterior Masonry Project to the 1920’s Capitol Commission by and helped create a map (data the vendor which ultimately got the base) of the dimensions of each contract for the lounge furniture. Detail of artist’s pattern with individual stone used in the The catalog showed a picture of pencil lines and holes made by façade of the Capitol. This data the couch and listed specifications stippling wheel, graphite was base was valuable as the Project which they used to build a pounced through the holes and Architect and Masonry Contractor reproduction of the couch. onto the ceiling communicated with the quarry in 6 Indiana to fabricated replacements T h e Ca p i t o l So w e r | Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008 What’s Old Is New Capitol Events

Seal America Deaf Awareness Week Nebraska Tribal Veterans Honoring August 16, 2008 September 22-26, 2008 Ceremony Unity rally on the north steps starting The Nebraska Commission for the November 6, 2008 at 11:15 am featuring music, songs Deaf and Hard of Hearing will have The Nebraska Commission on Indian and speakers. a display located in the first floor Affairs is sponsoring a ceremony to rotunda of the Capitol. honor Nebraska Native American Step up for Kids Veterans at 10:00 am. September 16, 2008 Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit Sponsored by Voices for Children September 22 - October 3, 2008 Commissioner’s Recognition for in Nebraska. The event will be held The United States Fish and Wildlife Student Excellence in Career Education on the north steps of the Capitol Service in Scottsbluff, Nebraska November 24, 2008 at 10:00 am and include speakers, are sponsoring a first floor rotunda At 3:00 p.m. in the second floor entertainment by children, and will exhibit to showcase entrants and rotunda the Governor and the State feature booths sponsored by various winners of the Nebraska Junior Duck Commissioner of Education will service agencies. Stamp Contest. honor high school career education students who were top winners in Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration national organization competitive October 10, 2008 events. The Mexican American Commission is sponsoring a noon time program All events at the Nebraska State to honor citizens of Hispanic Capitol are free and open to the Heritage. public.

2008 Governor’s Employee The Nebraska State Capitol will be Recognition Program closed for the Thanksgiving holiday November 27th and 28th. Free tours October 30, 2008 will resume on November 29th at Student visitors view the 2007 Duck Stamp At 10:00 am the State Personnel Display in first floor rotunda 10:00 a.m. Division is holding a ceremony to recognize the Employee of the Year, Nebraska Bar Induction Ceremony and the Supervisor/Manager of the September 16, 2008 Year from agencies throughout state The Capitol Rotunda will be the government. The Governor will scene of the Nebraska State Bar present the awards in the Capitol Induction Ceremony at 10:00 am. Rotunda.

Recovery Walk and Rally Veteran’s Photo Remembrance September 21, 2008 November 3-14, 2008 Sponsored by Nebraska Recovery The Nebraska Veteran’s of Foreign Nebraska State Capitol Guided tours are offered Monday-Friday Network the program will be from Wars is sponsoring a photo exhibit hourly from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m., except 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the north steps. in the first floor rotunda featuring at noon. Saturday and Holidays from The event is part of a national photographs of battlefields and 10:00 to 5:00 p.m., except at noon and celebration and 300 people are veteran’s cemeteries in Europe and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please call (402)471-0448 or visit www.capitol.org expected to attend. the United States. for more information. 7 T h e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e Ca p i t o l Co m m i s s i o n | a u g u s t 2008

Nebraska Capitol Commission Nebraska State Capitol Seventh Floor 1445 K Street P.O. Box 94696 In this issue: Lincoln, Nebraska mural cleaning. . 3 68509-4696 www.capitol.org west chamber. . . 4

lounge restored. . 5 Capitol Architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue Archive News. . . . 6 Capitol events. . . 7 Goodhue Boulevard Dedicated

n June 16, 2007, in a special oceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda, Governor Dave Heineman and members of the Capitol Commission dedicated Goodhue Boulevard. Special guests at the ceremony were the grandchildren of Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, architect of the Nebraska State Capitol. In a cooperative effort the Capitol Environs Commission, the City of Lincoln, the Nebraska Capitol Commission and the Near South Neighborhood Association Governor Heineman speaks before unveiling created a lasting tribute to Goodhue the Goodhue Blvd. street sign by renaming 15th Street south of the Capitol from A Street to H The Capitol Sower, Street Goodhue Boulevard. The a quarterly newsletter boulevard south of the Capitol is the published by the Office of only element of the axial mall plan the Capitol Commission, for the Capitol Environs created is available via e-mail by during Goodhue’s life. Following contacting the Tourism remarks from Governor Heineman, Supervisor at roxanne. Dean Wayne Drummond, [email protected]. Capitol Adminstrator Bob Ripley Please contact us if you and Capitol Commission Chair have any questions or Jeff Searcy, the Governor and l. to r. Nicholas Goodhue, Jill Goodhue comments about the Goodhue’s grandchildren unveiled Hoeksma, Goodhue biographer Romy Wyllie content. the new street sign. and H. Yates Satterlee All images property of the Office of the Capitol Commission.