preservation-restoration - seeking lost objects

Seeking Lost Objects

Capitol Construction Around Previous Building

The Nebraska Capitol Collections (NCC) is one of the most comprehensive collections of architectural records for a single structure. The NCC preserves a very diverse and detailed history of the design and construction of the present Capitol, as well as, extensive object collections including furnishings and many architectural elements and components. Though an extensive amount of documentation exists, the NCC actively seeks additional information and material to enhance on-going research and interpretation of the Capitol for preservation and scholarly use. The Nebraska Capitol Collections actively seeks the return and restoration of items removed from the building. Anyone wishing to support the preservation and restoration of the Nebraska State Capitol through a donation of items to the Nebraska Capitol Collections should contact the Capitol Archivist at (402)471-0444 . The following items are of interest to staff as they work with the Nebraska Capitol Collections.

Photographs
Like the saying "a photograph is worth a thousand words" the NCC is looking for photography from the construction era and beyond. Both professional and amateur images can provide insight into building details as well as the people that built and worked in the Capitol.

Printed Material
The Capitol, upon completion, attracted attention both locally and internationally. Many articles and publications were generated to herald both the building's utility and artistry. Construction era documents are also sought after and can be in the form of presentation drawings, letters, catalogs and other printed material.

Furnishings
Many furnishings that were purchased for the Goodhue Capitol were sold at auction during the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. These furnishings were primarily fabricated of walnut and include desks, tables, chairs and bookcases. Manufacturer's names include Stow-Davis, Macey, Leopold, Colonial and Marble. Wicker or reed type furniture furnished many of the lounges and restrooms and was manufactured by the Heywood-Wakefield Company.

Capitol Original Leather Arm Chair

Capitol Original Wicker Lounge Chair

Governor's Candlesticks
The Governor's Suite contains some of the most highly decorated rooms in the building. Though many of the original furnishings are intact, a major loss to the Reception Room has been the disappearance of a pair of 25 inch bronze candle sticks. The candle sticks originally graced a table in the Reception Room.

Governor's Reception Room

Enlargement of Candlesticks on Table

Light Fixtures
Original light fixtures found in standard office settings were chain hung and in some areas, ceiling mounted. With the advent of flourescent lighting, 100 percent of these fixtures were removed from service and only a handful remain in the collection. The fixtures are bronze and have milk-white shades with a decorative cross banding detail cast into the surface of glass.

Bronze Light Fixture

Chandelier
The Warner Legislative Chamber (former East Senate Chamber) is an area of exceptional design quality and detail. One of the Chamber's second floor level corner vestibule chandeliers is missing. The Warner Vestibule fixtures are similar in size and detail to the elevator vestibule fixtures.

Gilt Bronze Chandelier

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The Nebraska Capitol Collections (NCC) is one of the most comprehensive collections of architectural records for a single structure. The NCC preserves a very diverse and detailed history of the design and construction of the present Capitol, as well as, extensive object collections including furnishings and many architectural elements and components. Though an extensive amount of documentation exists, the NCC actively seeks additional information and material to enhance on-going research and interpretation of the Capitol for preservation and scholarly use. The Nebraska Capitol Collections actively seeks the return and restoration of items removed from the building. Anyone wishing to support the preservation and restoration of the Nebraska State Capitol through a donation of items to the Nebraska Capitol Collections should contact the Capitol Archivist at (402)471-0444 . The following items are of interest to staff as they work with the Nebraska Capitol Collections. Photographs Like the saying "a photograph is worth a thousand words" the NCC is looking for photography from the construction era and beyond. Both professional and amateur images can provide insight into building details as well as the people that built and worked in the Capitol. Printed Material The Capitol, upon completion, attracted attention both locally and internationally. Many articles and publications were generated to herald both the building's utility and artistry. Construction era documents are also sought after and can be in the form of presentation drawings, letters, catalogs and other printed material. Furnishings Many furnishings that were purchased for the Goodhue Capitol were sold at auction during the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. These furnishings were primarily fabricated of walnut and include desks, tables, chairs and bookcases. Manufacturer's names include Stow-Davis, Macey, Leopold, Colonial and Marble. Wicker or reed type furniture furnished many of the lounges and restrooms and was manufactured by the Heywood-Wakefield Company.
Capitol Original Leather Arm Chair	Capitol Original Wicker Lounge Chair
Governor's Candlesticks The Governor's Suite contains some of the most highly decorated rooms in the building. Though many of the original furnishings are intact, a major loss to the Reception Room has been the disappearance of a pair of 25 inch bronze candle sticks. The candle sticks originally graced a table in the Reception Room.
Governor's Reception Room	Enlargement of Candlesticks on Table
Light Fixtures Original light fixtures found in standard office settings were chain hung and in some areas, ceiling mounted. With the advent of flourescent lighting, 100 percent of these fixtures were removed from service and only a handful remain in the collection. The fixtures are bronze and have milk-white shades with a decorative cross banding detail cast into the surface of glass.
Bronze Light Fixture
Chandelier The Warner Legislative Chamber (former East Senate Chamber) is an area of exceptional design quality and detail. One of the Chamber's second floor level corner vestibule chandeliers is missing. The Warner Vestibule fixtures are similar in size and detail to the elevator vestibule fixtures.
Gilt Bronze Chandelier