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 Fo u r | Nu m b e r On e | Fe b 2012

Law Renovation Nebraska s the Nebraska State Capitol was officials and staff of the three branches Capitol Commission Abeing designed in the early 1920’s, to occupy the Capitol. Expanded Membership architect Bertram Goodhue made programs and technology have specific provisions for the State Law resulted in additional support staff. Dave Heineman Library. Regarding his artistic vision for Without available space in the Capitol Governor the Capitol Goodhue stated, “Though these support functions are located in Chairman everywhere monumental, no element nearby office space. The relocation of Mike Flood of the practical or convenient has been the Worker’s Compensation Court to Speaker of the Legislature sacrificed to this end. Even the tower is a more accessible location outside the Vice-Chairman no mere useless ornament, for its shaft Capitol allowed the Judicial branch to contains the glass-floored, many storied consolidate operations in the Capitol. Janice Walker Library stack.” After construction Changing technology also played a Court Administrator was underway, the Nebraska Capitol role in their decision to bring staff back Vacant Commission realized the Law Library into the building. Dean Book stacks in would not need all the tower space. College of Architecture, UNL While the 7th floor was built to include the library, left, were replaced Michael Smith the glass floored book stacks, other with judicial tower floors were branch offices. Executive Director redesigned to Nebraska State Historical Society serve as office Bryce Neidig space. Congressional District 1 Stan Meradith Some law Congressional District 2 journals and Jim Cudaback publications Congressional District 3 are now available online. This has reduced the space needed for adding Robert C. Ripley publications and allowed some book Administrator Book stacks on Office of Capitol Commission seventh floor, shelves to give way to office space. above, were The Judicial Branch requested a Secretary replaced with renovation of space in the Law Library offices on other tower floors. to accommodate their current needs. The Office of the Capitol Commission The office space in the Capitol completed this project in 2011. The accommodated the functions of state renovated space is now being used by government for many years. But, as the Office of Judicial Branch Education. new programs developed and existing The State Law Library’s Room agencies grew, the Capitol became has become a part-time training center overcrowded. Some agencies, like and book stacks flanking the Reading the Department of Roads in 1967, Room have been converted into office moved into new facilities. In 1976 the space for the director and staff. Once Nebraska State Office Building was again the Capitol has proven adaptable completed and service agencies moved and able to meet the needs of state into the new facility, leaving elected government in the 21st century. 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 | Fe b 2012 The People of the OCC Office of the Capitol Experience and Service Commission OCC at Work n October of 2011 four Office of the skilled experienced staff on the job. These Administration ICapitol Commission staff received members provide valuable information Bob Ripley, Administrator recognition for their years of service about past projects and have an Tom Kaspar, Architect to state government. The Capitol understanding of procedure and the day Matt Hansen, Architect Commission benefits from having very to day operation of the building. Mark Tonjes, Capitol Manager Tammy Honnor, Facilities Construction Coordinator Cecilia Curtis-Beard, Adminstrative Assistant

Archive Karen Wagner, Archivist

Carpentry Brett Daugherty, Shop Supervisor Ron Dulas, Furniture Conservator Perry Shuman, Mike Hoppmann, Steve Janssen, Mark Tonjes, OCC Roger Frink, OCC Capitol Groundskeeper/ Furniture Capitol Manager, Hardware Conservator Conservation Arborist with Refinisher with has 35 years of Steve Janssen, Furniture Finisher Supervisor, has OCC, has the OCC, has 35 service with the Phil Lagoni, Mason served Nebraska completed 20 years of service. State of Nebraska. Mike Marshall, Cabinet Maker for 15 years. years of service. Bill McClurg, Furniture Conservator Custodial Preservation Award Perry Shuman, Capitol Conservation Supervisor eritage Nebraska recognized the Richard Mallam, Custodial Leader HNebraska State Capitol Exterior Rich Naber, Custodial Leader Restoration and Reroof Project with its 2011 Preservation Award. The Grounds Mike Hoppmann, Heritage Nebraska Preservation Award Arborist/Groundskeeper recognizes an outstanding or noteworthy Don Pracheil, Mechanic historic preservation project in the state. Heritage Nebraska determined ”...this Maintenance year’s winner was a slam dunk once Michael Jordan, Shop Supervisor Jerry Allen, Plumber the scaffolding was removed and the Kent Bonebright, landscaping work begun. Years in the Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley, center right, Sheet Metal Fabricator making and millions of dollars later, the and OCC Architect Tom Kaspar, center left, accept Tahir Karimi, Electrician nation’s most beautiful state capitol is the Preservation Award from Heritage Nebraska John Steele, standing tall and proud. A true feat of consultant Dan Worth, left and J.L. Schmidt, Maintenance Technician historic preservation, the building was Heritage Nebraska President, right. Tours rehabilitated to original standards from At the same ceremony Heritage Roxanne Smith, the very foundation to the top of the Nebraska recognized Capitol Tourism Tourism Supervisor/ Sower’s head. The building represents Supervisor Roxanne Smith with the Special Events Coordinator a true icon for the entire state, standing Gloria Witherspoon, Preservation Educator award for Tourism Aide as tall and proud in eastern Nebraska “providing educational programming to Jamison Wyatt, as historic Chimney Rock stands in the students and the general public about Tourism Aide Panhandle.” historic preservation.”

Capitol Commission’s 2012 Schedule he Nebraska Capitol Commission February 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Thas set its 2012 meeting schedule all June 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. meetings are held in Room #1507 of the August 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Nebraska Capitol. November 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. 2 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 | Fe b 2012

ConservationLibrary Table Restoration Projects

Left, the removed uring the Law Library Project, laminate rests on a table Dthe Judicial Branch requested the in the Carpenter shop as Office of the Capitol Commission restore the table top, back of the room, awaits the next the four original Stow-Davis tables in step in its restoration. the Reading Room. These tables are Below, a table top with constructed of walnut and are the same veneer repaired. style as other tables originally purchased for use in the court area. However, the walnut had been bleached and tinted Below, shop staff smooths the repaired veneer on the by the manufacturer to match the ash table top with an orbital woodwork in the Reading Room. Prior to sander. Once the surface the 1970’s, damaged table top veneer was was repaired stain and finish were applied. covered with a laminate rather than being restored. Lamps were also installed on the tables at this time. Furniture conservation Below, the restored finish accentuates the beautiful staff inspection revealed the tables could wood grain in the table top. be restored using the Office of the Capitol Quarter inch plate glass is Commission’s conservation approach. used to protect all table tops in the Capitol. OCC’s highly skilled staff were able reverse these modifications and restore the tables to their former appearance. To accomplish this the tables were disassembled and the plastic laminate removed using heat and leverage. Staff replaced and reglued missing and loose veneer discovered underneath the Before and after staff restoration laminate and plugged lamp holes. Their of table legs and feet to original biggest challenge was to determine condition, below. how best to match the special finish. A series of experiments resulted in a multi- stepped process which first stained and then pigmented the table tops. A final application of several coats of blonde shellac was then rubbed out using wax and steel wool. The table’s apron and base were protected during this process and then cleaned with water and naptha. Abraded edges of the table’s feet were repaired, in-painted and sealed with blonde shellac. The restored tables were returned to their new classroom setting in the Reading Room. Quarter inch plate glass was placed on the table tops for protection. Following a similar conservation approach to furniture restoration, OCC staff will in the future begin restoration of the chairs in the Reading Room.

The restored library tables returned to service. 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 | Fe b 2012

Preparing for a New Use Teamwork gets it done

he Nebraska State Library is one of a Two new Thandful of Capitol spaces which have outlets were remained relatively untouched since the located in Capitol was completed in 1932. When Office bookshelves and are of the Capitol Commission staff began the unnoticed Law Library Project they encountered except when in original finishes and conditions which had use, left. served for 80 years. The project required a wired the coordinated effort by Capitol Commission Shops work new circuits personnel to bring the library space up offices to current standards for office use while together to required. He also rewired Capitol original honoring the original finishes which had light fixtures with new compatible wire. served so well. update library With the upgraded infrastructure in place, To start the project, OCC architects the mason returned for plaster repair. created new drawings which laid out space. While the upgrades were being office space and located mechanical and handled in the stacks, the doors, door trim, electrical improvements. After slate bases and thresholds were carefully and bookshelves were relocated, OCC cleaned. Staff used minimally invasive shop staff removed all the doors, blinds, cleaning techniques to remove only the furniture, and base trim. These wooden soiling. Finish was reapplied only where components were taken to the carpenter’s needed, and the trim hand rubbed with shop for restoration. The mason on staff wax before being returned to service. To was then called in to provide new conduit finish the modified stack space some new routes for trim was manufactured in house to match electrical existing trim. Windows in the project area outlets, lighting, were cleaned and reglazed. OCC shop staff phone and restored the existing blinds and fabricated data lines. new blinds for the windows where needed. Maintenance OCC’s Hardware Conservator worked staff removed from existing blind hardware to fabricate radiators for the additional brackets needed to hang the repair and new blinds. repainting. While the infrastructure in the The Capitol’s Library Reading Room was upgraded electrician during the project. Special care was taken to protect the original linoleum floor as new circuits were added to accommodate the video training equipment. Custodial staff worked very hard to restore the finish on the linoleum floor, bringing it back to its original beauty. The result of this coordinated effort is modern office space which meets the needs of staff. The Office of OCC preservation staff the Capitol Commission balances the investigated the original color scheme for the library needs of office staff with its mission to stack space. Using the radiator’s back side, which had not preserve the architectural integrity of been over-painted, and uncovering original colors on picture the Nebraska State Capitol. Where possible molding, staff determined the original accent color. Using standard color swatches found compatible colors. The Capitol original finishes and furnishings are radiators, picture molding, walls, and ceilings were repainted restored and returned to service. 4 back to the architects original color scheme, as shown above. 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 | Fe b 2012 BehindLaw Library the Scenes he Nebraska State Library was founded in 1855 The oldest book in the Tfollowing the creation of Nebraska Territory with collection, left, is a 1581 the Nebraska--Kansas Act of 1954. The United States of Anthony Fitzherbert’s 1534 Natura Congress sent Nebraska $5,000.00 to furnish and Brevium, which documented purchase books for the new library. At that time, law British common law. The books were frequently acquired from other . lawmakers of the British colonies in America Auctions and sales of attorney’s estates provided would have drawn from many of the early volumes which are still held in the such texts as they created library. The Library’s Collection has unusual and varied early American law. The collection contains law volumes which document the evolution of modern books from the original American law from historic British common law. These 13 colonies. Massachusetts reference books help establish the legal precedence example, 1692-1702, below. of Nebraska’s laws. The Library has a complete set of Nebraska Legislative Journals back to 1855, a copy of every bill introduced by the Legislature since 1893, as well as a full set of Nebraska Statutes. The Nebraska State Library is a Depository Library for federal documents such as the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Statutes, and the U.S. Reports, opinions of the United States Supreme Court.

Right, labels from both the One book of Territorial and early American State Libraries law from the indicate this General Assembly traveled of Virginia from Omaha to was previously Lincoln upon owned by George statehood and Washington’s the subsequent nephew, Bushrod The Nebraska Supreme relocation of Washington. His Court Administrator’s the capital city. signature appears Office provided the at the top of the title images used in this article. page, left and above. Please go to http://www. supremecourt.ne.gov/ for additional information.

Renovation Includes Recycling

enovating the State Law Library required recycling services to all agencies and staff in the Rchanging the use and function of some library building. Whether for a major renovation project, a space. Historically, a library relied on books and change in elected official or daily office use, recycling other publications for their services. With the bins and barrels are available for staff. Capitol staff introduction of the computer, libraries have changed. make the requests and OCC staff deliver and pick The State Law Library no longer receives paper up the recycling containers. This year the Office of copies of some law journals, providing access to these the Capitol Commission recycled 18, 245 pounds of publications via the internet. The library renovation cardboard, 116,520 pounds of office paper, 24,000 included an inventory of publications and the pounds of newspaper, 5, 600 pounds of magazines, disposal of outdated and duplicate materials. Printed and 10,200 pounds of mixed paper. Staff also recycled material no longer of value was recycled. 2,150 pounds of steel cans, 1,790 pounds of plastic, The Office of the Capitol Commission provides 2,725 pounds of aluminum and 300 pounds of glass. 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 | Fe b 2012 What’sHidden From Old View Is New apitol Architect Bertram Goodhue’s and organize the Cuse of historic and modern building collections a discovery techniques to create beautiful rooms was made--the original in the Capitol is evident in the State stencil pattern for Library’s Reading Room. The Reading the decoration of Room appears to be a limestone box the Reading Room with a walnut beamed ceiling and three wall. In the mid 1990’s large windows in one wall. Such masonry with this newly construction would be unstable if not for discovered information the steel beams holding the structure in hand, OCC hired together, steel beams hidden behind a conservator to Original decoration uncovered, above. masonry during construction. With investigate. His work seasonal changes causing expansion and revealed the hidden beauty of the contraction original wall finish. of masonry The recent renovation of the and steel, rooms provided the cracks soon opportunity for OCC to investigate the conditions which contributed to the plaster damage. Contractors removed plaster to uncover the hidden structural beams which had contributed to the cracking plaster. Engineering consultants developed a solution to stabilize Steel beam uncovered, the beams with slotted plates, above. Slotted plate added Damaged plaster reveals a hint of color and what might be a while allowing limited seasonal for stability, below. decorative finish. movement. OCC will appeared in the walls. These cracks were continue to monitor the hidden with plaster and paint. But the walls to determine the movement in the walls did not stop. success of the repairs. If Noticing bits of gold and color in the successful in the long run, cracked plaster on the wall, Office of the and the plaster wall is Capitol Commission staff suspected there stabilized, these repairs will was a decorative finish hidden beneath lay the ground work for the paint. But other restoration work in future restoration. If resources become the Capitol took precedence. Once OCC available in the future, the Office of hired a full time archivist to investigate the Capitol Commission will be able to reference the original stencil macquette, as future restoration uncovers the hidden beauty of the Nebraska State Library’s Reading Room. Plaster repair, above, covering the stabilized wall support beam will be monitored to gauge success of repair. Research in the Capitol Collection by the Capitol Archivist uncovered the original stencil macquette for the decorative walls in the Law Library’s Reading Room. 6 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 | F e b 2012 What’s Old Is New Capitol Events Photovoice Project: A Journey Brain Injury Awareness Month National Crime Victims Rights Week February 6-10, 2012 March 5-9, 2012 April 23 - 27, 2012 Behavioral Health Education Center The Brain Injury Association of The Nebraska Crime Commission of Nebraska and National Alliance on Nebraska will have a display in the will have a display in the 1st floor Mental Health-Nebraska sponsored 1st floor rotunda. Rotunda. Participatory Action Research Project photo display in 1st floor rotunda. Youth Art Month Art Show Worker Memorial Day Vigil March 11-25, 2012 April 28, 2012 Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Vigil The Nebraska Art Teachers United Support Memorial for February 12, 2012 Association will display Nebraska Workplace Fatalities sponsored vigil The Grand Army of the Republic and student artwork in the 1st floor on the North Plaza of the Capitol Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil rotunda. from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. War will stand vigil at the West Plaza Lincoln Memorial from 7:00 a.m. No Limits Youth Rally ALS in the Heartland Display until noon. March 21, 2012 April 30-May 10, 2012 Display in the 1st floor Rotunda in Build Nebraska Awards No Limits will sponsor Kick Butts Day youth rally on the North Plaza of the conjunction with ALS Awareness February 13- 17, 2012 Capitol from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Month The Associated General Contractors- Nebraska Building Chapter will Mayor’s Run Youth Art Month Celebration showcase of 2011 award winners in a May 5, 2012 1st floor Rotunda display. March 24, 2012 The Lincoln Track Club will sponsor The Nebraska Art Teachers this one mile fun run for students History of Credit Unions Association will honor the state art around the Capitol’s exterior February 13- 17, 2012 contest winners in the 2nd Floor beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Nebraska Credit Union League Rotunda of the Capitol at 2:00 p.m. will have a 1st floor Rotunda display. National Peace Officers Week March is Social Work Month May 11-18, 2012 President’s Day March 26- 30, 2012 The Nebraska State Patrol will honor February 20, 2012 The Nebraska Chapter of the fallen peace officers in a 1st floor The Nebraska State Capitol will National Association of Social Rotunda display. be open for hourly guided tours Workers will have a display in the 1st floor Rotunda. between 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Governor will sign Proclamations World Autism Day Rally at 10:30 a.m. in the Warner Chamber Music Education Week on February 15, March 14, April 11, April 1, 2012 February 27 - March 2, 2012 May 16 and June 13. For proclamation The Nebraska Music Educators host The Autism Family Network will rally information please contact Sarah 2nd floor rotunda concerts. The 12:00 at dusk on the West Plaza of the in the Lt. Governor’s Office at p.m. and 12:30 p.m. performances Capitol. (402)471-2256. feature choirs and bands from Call Before You Dig Month schools across the state. All events at the Nebraska State April 10 - 13, 2010 Capitol are free and open to the Draw Your Dreams Art Display The One-Call Board, the public. February 27 - March 2, 2012 Nebraska Rural Electric and Telecommunications and Natural The winners of the State Treasurer’s Nebraska State Capitol 529 College Savings Plan poster Gas Associations will have a display in the 1st floor Rotunda. Guided Tours are offered Monday- contest will be in the 1st floor Friday hourly from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m, Rotunda. except at noon. Saturday and Holidays Nebraska Holocaust Commemoration from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m, except at April 15, 2012 noon and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. March Gambling Awareness Month The Jewish Federation sponsors March 5-8, 2012 Please call 402.471.0448 this annual event in the 2nd Floor or visit www.capitol.org for more Creating Family Choices will have Rotunda of the Capitol at 2:00 p.m. an educational display addressing information. problem gambling in the 1st floor Rotunda. 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 | Fe b 2012

Nebraska Capitol Commission Nebraska State Capitol Seventh Floor 1445 K Street P.O. Box 94696 In this issue: Lincoln, Nebraska lamps...... 3 68509-4696 www.capitol.org lighting...... 4 402.471.6691 light bulbs. . . . . 5 Capitol Architect Archive News. . . . 6 Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, 1869-1924

Capitol events. . . 7

Sp i r i t o f t h e Pr a i r i e

The Capitol Sower, published by the Office of the Capitol Commission, b y is available on line at www.capitol.org. El i z a b e t h Contact the Tourism Supervisor at Do l a n for more information.

Please contact us if you have lizabeth Dolan, a noted Lincoln muralist, backdrops for the fossil displays and the any questions or comments Epainted The Spirit of the Prairie to fill the portraits of Erwin Barbour, Samuel Avery about the content. interior arched niche above the entrance to and Mr. and Mrs. John Morrill in the museum. All images property of the Nebraska State Law Library. The mural The Capitol’s Dolan may be seen when the Office of the Capitol was painted on site by Dolan who donated Law Library is open, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Commission. her time painting the mural and asked that Monday through Friday. Women’s t-shirts the State play for only the paint and canvas. featuring the Dolan mural are available in Other murals by Dolan are located at The the Landmark Store at the Capitol. Call (402) University of Nebraska State Museum of 471-2062 for information. Natural History, including the diarama