Central Sun Medallion in East Chamber Dome
West Legislative Chamber
| East and West Chambers |
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In the east and west arms of the cross which is centered on the Rotunda are the two chambers of Nebraska's legislature.
Nebraska had a bicameral government until 1937, when the Unicameral was formed. The West Chamber was chosen to
house the new single governmental body because it was the larger of the two chambers. The two chambers are
decorated to represent the two groups which brought their cultures into the Plains. The East Chamber symbolizes the
aboriginal life of the Indian. The West Chamber symbolizes the European age of settlement, with the successive
appearance of the Spanish, French, and Anglo-American upon Nebraska Soil.
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The East Chamber | |
 Painted, Hand-Carved East Chamber Doors |
The colorful doors to the East Chamber tell of Native American culture and life. Corn, the Native American's main
agricultural crop and important food source is in the center of the doorway, represented as a tree of life. The
Thunderbird, a symbol of rain and life is pictured at its center. On the sides, an Indian man is standing on an otter, a
symbol of medicine and an Indian woman is standing on a turtle, symbol of fertility. Hildreth Meiere's ceiling mosaics
within the chamber represent the daily activities of the Native American cultures of the Plains: women hoeing corn, a
war party, a tribal council, and a buffalo hunt. The mosaics and decorative borders were designed to look like Native
American beadwork. The East Chamber was recently named the Warner Legislative Chamber to honor the Warner
family and their contributions to the growth of the Unicameral system in Nebraska.
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The West Chamber | |
 Hand-Tooled Leather West Chamber Doors |
The West Legislative Chamber is decorated with scenes of the westward migration of the three
nations to claim political control of Nebraska, Spain, France, and the United States. Early
European explorers and the successive arrival of the cattlemen and homesteaders are represented
in the walnut ceiling beams. The multi-colored marble columns in the chamber reflect the multi-
cultural heritage of Nebraska. The West Chamber is named the George W. Norris Chamber after the founder of the Unicameral in Nebraska. The unicameral meets every year, sessions begin in January and run for 60 and/or 90 days in alternate years to allow for bi-annual budget planning. The Unicameral has 49 members, called State Senators, who are elected from districts based on population. The body is non- partisan. Visitors are welcome to view the sessions from the third floor west balconies. |