|
The Nebraska State Capitol,
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976
is also a Registered National Historic Landmark. Within the
Capitol all areas are either Preservation Space or Adaptive
Use Space. Preservation Spaces are those areas which possess
a high degree of architectural finish and are primarily the
ceremonial and public areas of the building, such as:
Vestibule, Foyer and Rotunda; the Supreme and Appeals Court
Rooms and Consultation Rooms; the East and West Legislative
Chambers and Lounges; the Governor's Suite; the Memorial
Chamber; as well as the public corridors, the courtyards and
Capitol grounds. Adaptive Use Spaces are those which
comprise the remaining space, generally office and meeting
or hearing room areas.
The Preservation and Restoration activities within the
Capitol emphasize the value of the historic character of the
building through sensitive preservation and replication of
the original building design and finishes. As well, the
Preservation program is very involved in planning and
installation of new technology within the building while
maintaining great sensitivity toward preserving the original
building design and finishes.
In 1999 the Nebraska State Capitol Landscape was listed on
the National Register of Historic Places as a National
Historic Landmark. This designation recognizes Bertram
Goodhue's intent that the setting for the Capitol play an
important role in its monumental stature. Ernst Herminghaus,
Nebraska's first professionally trained Landscape Architect,
designed the Capitol Landscape plan to enhance the character
of the building as viewed from the site and beyond. An
approved restoration plan for the Capitol Grounds guides all
restoration of this historic landscape.
Bertram Goodhue's original 1920 Capitol design concept
included the setting for his building within the capital
city. Goodhue planned four formal boulevard approaches to
the Capitol from the north, south, east and west on axis
with the site and Capitol tower. The Capitol's four square
block site is located at the intersection of two principal
streets which form the south and east edges of the business
district. In 1987 a joint city-state Nebraska Capitol
Environs Commission was created with statutory authority to
oversee preservation and enhancement of the Capitol Environs
District. The District is a fifty-four square block area
which includes the Capitol site, the ring of blocks
surrounding the site, and Goodhue's four axial boulevards,
or malls. The Capitol area and the city blocks which line
both sides of the boulevards, or malls, define the formal
setting of the Capitol in the city. Within the District, the
Commission has statutory authority to set guidelines and
oversee architectural, landscape and urban design issues,
such as, building heights and setbacks, and building and
landscape material requirements. In addition to the Environs
District, the Commission has design review authority for
City and Country View Corridors which preserve views of the
Capitol from within the city and from as distant as twenty
miles. The Commission meets monthly to review design issues
and projects such as a planned north mall redevelopment
linking the Capitol to the University of Nebraska-City
Campus, and the development of a bicycle/pedestrian trail
which enhances a principal Capitol view corridor from
Lincoln's largest park.
To assist in the preservation and restoration, as well as
the daily operation, of the Nebraska State Capitol, the
Office of the Capitol Commission employs a variety of
skilled craftspeople and professionals. The OCC includes
preservation architects, an archivist, a mason, a hardware
conservator, and furniture conservators. Specially trained
maintenance, cabinetry, grounds and custodial staff provide
for the daily care and maintenance of the Capitol with an
emphasis on preserving the historic character and finishes
of the building and its landscape.
Those individuals or groups wishing to contribute to the
preservation and restoration of the landmark Nebraska State
Capitol and Landscape are encouraged to make tax deductible
donations to the Capitol Restoration Fund, or the private,
non-profit Nebraska Capitol Foundation. The Capitol
Restoration Fund is a special state government account which
funds restoration programs and projects in the building and
on its site. The Nebraska Capitol Foundation was created to
support the preservation and restoration of the Capitol and
its site. As well, the Foundation promotes historic and
cultural aspects of the building, through education and
outreach programs. The Capitol Foundation also supports the
work of the Capitol Environs Commission. For information or
to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact the
Administrator of the Office of the Capitol Commission,
Nebraska State Capitol, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 94696, Lincoln,
NE 68509-4696. Phone (402)471-6691 or fax (402)471-6952.
|
