Capitol Commission receives Heritage Nebraska awards

Office of the Capitol Commission staff attended Heritage Nebraska’s third annual awards dinner in York, Nebraska to received Preservation Awards.  Heritage Nebraska celebrates history through education, outreach, preservation and stewardship of Nebraska’s downtowns, historic neighborhoods, barns, churches, schools, and historic resources. At the July 22, 2011 Heritage Nebraska awards dinner Capitol Commission staff members were recognized for their contributions to historic preservation in Nebraska.  Capitol Administrator Robert C. Ripley, AIA, and Preservation Architect Tom Kaspar, AIA, accepted the Heritage Nebraska Preservation Award presented by Dan Worth, Heritage Nebraska Board Member and J.L. Schmidt, Heritage Nebraska Executive Director.
The award recognizes an outstanding or noteworthy historic preservation project in the state and this year was awarded to the Nebraska State Capitol Exterior Masonry Restoration Project.  Announcing the Preservation Award Heritage Nebraska stated “this year’s winner was a slam dunk once the scaffolding was removed and the landscaping work begun. Years in the making and millions of dollars later, the nation’s most beautiful state capitol is standing tall and proud. A true feat of historic preservation, the building was rehabilitated to original standards from the very foundation to the top of the Sower’s head. The building represents a true icon for the entire state, standing as tall and proud in eastern Nebraska as historic Chimney Rock stands in the Panhandle.” 
    The Heritage Nebraska Preservation Education Award was presented to Roxanne Smith, Capitol Tourism Supervisor. The award recognizes educators and citizen preservationists who provide outstanding historic preservation education programming to the citizens of Nebraska.  Heritage Nebraska recognized Roxanne for “providing educational programming to students and the general public about historic preservation. Day in and day out she is responsible for the tours given to visitors to the Nebraska State Capitol. She is the first touch that thousands of Nebraska school kids have to not only the amazing Capitol but also historic preservation. Even adults – often people from out of state – who tour that architectural wonder we call our state capitol benefit from historic preservation education.”  Roxanne’s work on the Capitol’s website, capitol.org, and newsletter, The Capitol Sower, provide citizens with preservation information and updates about the ongoing work of the Office of the Capitol Commission staff.
    The Office of the Capitol Commission staff is honored and grateful to be recognized for the preservation and stewardship of architect Bertram Goodhue’s National Historic Landmark designated Nebraska State Capitol.  As recognized by Heritage Nebraska, the ongoing preservation of the Capitol and the educational work of tour staff serves current and future generations of Nebraskans.