Capitol Update

  • Imagine the Scene 100 Years Ago

    By Roxanne Smith • August 26, 2022

    Imagine the scene 100 years ago, south of downtown Lincoln, in a residential neighborhood, the new Nebraska State Capitol was under construction. Nebraskans, but especially Lincolnites, watched the progress of the project. It was a very…

  • 2022 Capitol Ornament Here

    By Roxanne Smith • April 21, 2022

    Nebraska’s state mammal, the White-tailed deer is featured on the 2022 Office of the Capitol Commission ornament. Hildreth Meiere’s vestibule ceiling mosaic portrays “Nature’s Gifts to Man on the Plains” with mosaics of Nebraska’s agricultural products…

  • Dome Appearance Changes

    By Roxanne Smith • February 17, 2022

    Capitol watchers will notice a difference in the appearance of the Capitol’s lantern. The gold dome appears duller and darker. The blue in the Thunderbird panels seems less brilliant. During the Capitol Dome Restoration Project, the…

  • 2021 Capitol Ornament Arrives

    By Roxanne Smith • June 4, 2021

    The Office of the Capitol Commission 2021 Commemorative is now available from the Office of the Capitol Commission by calling (402)471-0449 or emailing roxanne.smith@nebraska.gov. The $25.95 plus tax ornament is also available at the History Nebraska…

  • A Summer Evening at the Capitol

    By Roxanne Smith • April 29, 2021

    Now that the evenings are getting warmer and it is staying light longer, it’s time for an evening stroll. What could be better than strolling the sidewalks around the four-square-block grounds of the Nebraska State Capitol…

  • Virtual Youth Art Month Exhibit and Awards

    By Roxanne Smith • March 8, 2021

    Each year the Nebraska Art Teachers Association displays artwork by Nebraska's state-wide student artists at the Capitol. At the end of the exhibition the Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) holds an awards celebration in the Capitol…

  • COVID19 Impacts on the 107th Legislature

    By Roxanne Smith • January 15, 2021

    Public Interaction with the 107th Legislature First Session will remain limited due to the ongoing pandemic. To watch the sessions live go to NET Live & On Demand.   Speaker of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Mike…

  • Standing Bear Goes to Washington, D.C.

    By Roxanne Smith • November 9, 2020

    One hundred years after the Ponca Tribe was forcibly moved from their northern Nebraska homeland to Indian Territory, Nebraskans recognized Ponca Chief Standing Bear for his contribution to Native American rights. Inducted into the Nebraska Hall…

  • Capitol Gifts Available

    By Roxanne Smith • October 6, 2020

      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…

  • Courtyard Landscape Progresses

    By Roxanne Smith • August 14, 2020

    The Nebraska Association of Former Legislators organized and funded the Courtyard Landscape Restoration Project which will return the four courtyards in the Nebraska State Capitol to their original 1934 Ernst H. Herminghaus planting plan. Beginning in…