T HE NEWSLE tt ER OF T HE CAPI T OL COMMISSIO N | VOLUME FOUR | NUMBER ON E | FEB 2012 Law Library 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 book 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 would not need all the tower space. Book stacks in the library, left, College of Architecture, UNL While the 7th floor was built to include 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 Reading 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 HE CAPI T OL SOWER | THE NEWSLE tt ER OF T HE CAPI T OL COMMISSIO N | FEB 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 HE CAPI T OL SOWER | THE NEWSLE tt ER OF T HE CAPI T OL COMMISSIO N | FEB 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 HE CAPI T OL SOWER | THE NEWSLE tt ER OF T HE CAPI T OL COMMISSIO N | FEB 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.