OCC's 2020 ornament — The Capitol’s 2020 Commemorative ornament

The 2020 Commemorative Ornament, plus previous year’s ornaments and Capitol T-Shirts are available directly from the Office of the Capitol Commission Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling (402)471-0449 or by emailing roxanne.smith@nebraska.gov. The Capitol T-shirts feature artwork from the interior and exterior of the Capitol.

The 2020 Capitol Commemorative Ornament and all available Capitol ornaments may be purchased between 10 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday at the History Nebraska Museum located at 15th and P Street in downtown Lincoln. Please call (402)471-3447 for more information.

The year 2020 has brought many changes to our lives, not only our personal but also our public life has changed. Little did the Office of the Capitol Commission know in January when creating the 2020 Nebraska State Capitol Commemorative Ornament that 2020 would be a year like no other in recent memory. While a pandemic continues to focus our attention, those who work in and visit the Nebraska Capitol are reminded that the beautiful building demonstrates what we can accomplish together and its artwork provides a respite from the daily hardships we face. The 2020 Commemorative Ornament was meant to focus our attention on the beauty of Nebraska’s flora as represented on the 14^th floor of the Capitol. At the top of the Capitol, the Memorial Chamber honors citizens who works together in service of others. Our highest calling as citizens is public service. During 2020 we remember and honor Nebraskans in service: the medical professionals, doctors, nurses and researchers, who are on the front line of the pandemic response; the police and firefighters who keep our state safe; those working to feed the hungry in this time of uncertainty, and members of the National Guard who have been called to help with the pandemic response.

The Memorial Chamber on 14^th floor is clad in beautiful black and gold marble, with golden hued windows, to create a reverent space of quiet contemplation. The finishing details of the room are elegant and understated. As in other parts of the Capitol, the designers took an everyday object, a lamp, and elevated it to a work of art incorporating Nebraska’s native flora. The 2020 ornament features a stylized thistle. Nebraska has five native thistles which are an important part of the prairie ecosystem providing food for native insects, birds and mammals.