lincoln ne state capitol tours

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The interactive “Nebraska Virtual Capitol” website is a resource for students and visitors of all ages, both here in Nebraska and around the world. Young and old can discover more about Nebraska; learn about the history, arts and architecture of the building that serves as the heart of our state government and the Governor’s mansion.

Virtual Tour

History of the Capitol

The Nebraska State Capitol building is like no other capitol on the plains. As symbol, the Capitol rising fourteen stories above the prairie makes several statements. Those can be seen as including permanence, pride in place and satisfaction in the fact that the Capitol was designed and erected with the proceeds of the people’s vision and hard work. Importantly, it is also emblematic of the agricultural basis for our state as reflected in the statue of the Sower that graces the pinnacle of the building as well as the murals found within its walls. Finally, in busts and plaques as well as its chambers and offices the Capitol speaks to the service of Nebraskans in every area of life

The Capitol, the third to be constructed on this site was built in four phases over ten years form 1922-1932. The product was part of a nation wide design competition won by New Your Architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1920. To complete the beautiful capitol Goodhue selected Lee Lawrie, sculpture; Hildreth Meiere, tile and mosaic designer; and Hartley Burr Alexander as thematic consultant for the inscriptions and symbolism of the building.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Capitol or Governor's Residence

The Nebraska State Capitol building is an architectural wonder and now you can visit it anytime, anywhere. Take a 360-degree virtual tour of the Nebraska State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion to see the beauty of this treasured landmark. Step inside the legislative chamber; see amazing views of the rotunda and the Sower standing majestically on the dome – without ever setting foot in the building.

For educators, there are links to a curriculum website with lesson plans and other resources for teachers designing Nebraska studies and art lessons to use in their classrooms. The “Nebraska Virtual Capitol” curriculum is targeted to K-12 students, with an emphasis on fourth graders who are studying Nebraska history, and is a resource for students who cannot visit the buildings due to distance or cost.

Entries on This Tour

The Thomas P. Kennard House is the oldest surviving house in the original plat of Lincoln. It was built in 1869 in the Italianate style for its namesake, Thomas P. Kennard, who was elected Nebraska's first Secretary of State in 1867, the same year the federal government granted Nebraska statehood. The house is a museum operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society which offers tours of the house by appointment. Visitors will learn about the process that resulted in Lincoln becoming the state's new capital, Victorian life, and the archaeological excavations that shed light on the house's history. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Successful businessman William Henry Ferguson built this elegant home around 1911. It is considered one of the best examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in the city and probably the state. It was built of brick and features smooth limestone detailing, a clay tile roof, and a large porch with an arched main entrance. The house is also notable for how it was built. The first floor structure was erected using a concrete slab system and the second floor was framed using steel beams. The house might be the first in Iowa constructed using these two methods. As of August 2024, the landmark structure is home to the Nebraska Broadband Office.

Located across the street from the state capital building, the Nebraska Governor's Mansion has been the official home of Nebraska governors since it was built in 1957. The Classical Revival building was designed by the Selmer Solheim & Associates firm. It features 31 rooms (five of which are bedrooms), 12 bathrooms, 4 fireplaces and a 3-stall garage. It underwent extensive renovations beginning in 1997 that were completed the following year. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Built in ten years between 1922-1932, the Nebraska State Capitol was the country's first vernacular architectural styled state capitol building. It marked a departure from typical designs where state capitol buildings emulated the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. Instead, the architect, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, chosen from ten submissions, designed a building with an enormous tower rising to a height of 400 feet, making it the second tallest state capitol in the country after Louisiana's. Atop the tower stands a 19-foot statue called "The Sower," which depicts a man gesturing as if he is planting seeds, honoring the importance of agriculture to the state. The building combines elements of the Gothic Revival, Art Deco, and Classical styles. The Nebraska State Capitol was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Immediately upon becoming a state in 1867 the Nebraska state legislature debated women’s suffrage in every session. While women did earn the right to vote in school board elections in 1869 there was no other progress made. In 1881 Erasmus Correll (Nebraska House of Representatives) introduced a bill to take the word “male” out of the state constitution, thus allowing women to vote. There was very little support for this measure, but he negotiated with fellow lawmakers to pass the change if it was approved by Nebraska voters. Suffragists campaigned into the next year to gain support for the measure, but it was defeated in the popular vote in November 1882. The Nebraska Woman Suffrage Association continued to work towards extending voting rights, but there were strong anti-suffrage sentiments in the state (especially from religious leaders and also from the alcohol industry due to women’s work in the temperance movement). Progress came in 1917 when pro-suffrage governor Keith Neville took office. In that year both municipal and presidential suffrage for women passed the legislature and became law. Opponents tried to challenge the new law but were not successful prior to the 19th Amendment passing Congress. Nebraska voted unanimously to ratify the amendment on August 2, 1919.

The Woods Brothers Companies was formed in 1889 by Mark, George and Frank Woods. The real estate company was a major player ion the early development of many Lincoln neighborhoods. Woods Brothers had this building constructed by 1916 from their design. The Neo-classical style is evidenced by a number of architectural details. The ears of corn above the balcony are an homage to Nebraska. The building housed the brothers' company until 1939, and has been used for commercial purposes since then. The Woods Brothers Building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today, Woods Bros Realty continues the tradition after 130 years in the Lincoln area, in other offices.

This three-story building was built in 1894 for the Nebraska Telephone Company and is believed to be the first purpose-built structure designed to hold the heavy equipment needed to operate a telephone exchange. The Renaissance Revival style building housed the Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company from 1912 to 1927. The structure was later home to many area businesses. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The building's facade includes alternating lotus and palmette, a design that was also used in the Acropolis in Greece. The ground floor is now occupied by the Francie & Finch Bookshop.

This Tour is a Walking Tour .

Historic Walking Tour, Downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, South of O Street

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Description

This very short walk includes a variety of historic landmarks including the governor's house, the State Capitol, the Ferguson House, the Kennard House, and several commercial buildings along O Street such as the Woods Brothers Building and Nebraska Telephone Company Building.

ByLanderSea Travel Tales

Travel articles you can use., tour of the state capitol building in lincoln, nebraska.

While visiting Nebraska in the fall of 2012, I toured the state capitol building in Lincoln , known as the Tower of the Plains. The structure bursts with symbolism and art and made me realize a tour of all 50 US state capitols might be a worthwhile quest.

The building was designed by architect Bertram Goodhue in neo-gothic or what I consider Art Deco style.  It stands on the site of the previous Capitol and features a “cross within a square” floor plan. The broad square base runs 437 feet on each side, partially underground, and rises three levels in height standing for the rolling prairie fields.  The landmark domed tower rises 400-feet and supports a 19- foot tall bronze figure of “The Sower”. The figure represents agriculture as the heart of Nebraska’s prosperity. Mosiac Thunderbirds beneath the “Sower” imply rain.

Construction began in 1922 around the old building and continued for ten years. Landscaping was competed in 1934 at which  time the Capitol was fully paid for at a cost of $9.8 million.

I found a plethora of art on every wall and corner, on the ceilings and the floor. Why, the place out ranks most art museums. My guide explained that each piece tells the story of Nebraskans from the Native Americans to the pioneers, to the present day.

My favorite artworks included the following areas with descriptions taken from the official website: http://capitol.org/visit .

Vestibule The theme of the Vestibule is “Gifts of Nature to Man on the Plains”. The sun, an important gift of nature, is represented in the top of the dome, the chandelier and the large floor mosaic. In the mosaic tile dome, surrounding the sun in a large circle are agricultural products of Nebraska, and in the corners of the dome are the four seasons of agriculture.

Warner Chamber Native American doors

The colorful doors to the Warner 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.

West Legislative Chamber doors

The leather doors of the West Chamber show the agricultural foundation of Western Civilization in the ancient middle eastern region. With the Assyrian man and woman planting a tree of life under an Egyptian sun.

Supreme Court

The 8000 piece carved walnut ceiling aids in the acoustical quality of the Chamber. It has coffers which along with the Guastavino Acoustic Tile walls capture sound waves and prevent echos. The public is welcome to attend the court’s sessions and enter from the rear of the Chamber.

Memorial Chamber The central room of the 14th Floor Observation Level is the Memorial Chamber, it is “dedicated to the forms of heroism called for in the public service and in devotion to humanity”.

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www.Visit Nebraska.org The Capitol is open 7 days a week. 445 K Street On K, between 14th and 16th Streets Lincoln, Nebraska 68509–4696 [email protected] • (402) 471–0448

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Hello, My great grandfather, David Bonin did mosaic tile work in the Capitol Building in Lincoln, NE. I was wondering if this fact that my family has written in his obituary is indeed factual. Do you have a list of artists who worked on the murals in the Capitol? I have never traveled to the building to see it for myself but If he did work on the mosaics, I will. Thank you, Terri Sharkey Barresi

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10 Reasons to Visit Lincoln, the Capital of Nebraska

When you think of the United States of America, Nebraska may not be the first state you think of. But this Great Plains state has a lot to offer visitors. Here's why you should visit Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska.

What Is The Capital Of Nebraska?

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The capital city of the state of Nebraska is Lincoln. It's the state's second-largest city in Lancaster County, about an hour southwest of Omaha and three and a half hours from Kansas City.

Nebraska is in the expansive Midwestern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Iowa to the east, Missouri to the southeast, Kansas to the south, Colorado to the southwest, Wyoming to the west, and South Dakota. Interestingly, it is the only triply landlocked U.S. state.

How Lincoln Became The Capital City

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Nebraska became a U.S. state in 1867, two years after the Civil War and 13 years after the U.S. Congress opened the territory for settlement. The same year, the Nebraska Capitol Commission was created to help Nebraskans find the location for a Capital City. This organization oversees the preservation, maintenance, and operations of the Nebraska State Capitol Building.

In 1867, the Nebraska Legislature passed a law that removed Omaha as the Capital City. That is where the Capitol Commission came in.

The capital commission decided Lincoln, NE, would be the capital city and home to Bertram Goodhue's new capital building. Originally called the village of Lancaster, the city of Lincoln was founded in 1856 and renamed after President Abraham Lincoln when it became the latest state capital city in 1869.

10 Reasons To Visit Lincoln, Nebraska

1. the nebraska state capitol.

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Did you know that the state of Nebraska is the only state in the US that does not practice a bicameral legislature? The Nebraska Legislature has one house called the Unicameral with senators. The state legislature meets in the State Capitol Building, the first state capitol to design a functional tower. The building was designed by New York architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in the 1920s and is known for the sower, the 19.5" finial atop the state capitol building's gold-tiled dome.

2. University of Nebraska State Museum

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Located in Morrill Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus, this natural history museum was established in 1871 and boasted four floors of interactive exhibits. Spanning 70,000 square feet, this museum gives into the state of Nebraska's biological diversity, the Native American Heritage, and incredible fossils that will fascinate people of every age.

3. The Civil War Veteran Museum

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Although it is not in Lincoln proper, this museum is worth mentioning as it sits just one hour away in Nebraska City. Did you know that there were over 100 Grand Army of the Republic Halls in the state at one time and that only four remain today? Built in 1894, The Civil War Veterans Museum is the only one in Nebraska territory.

4. Downtown Lincoln

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When you visit the city, you will definitely spend most of your time in Downtown Lincoln. We already mentioned the Nebraska Capitol statehouse and well talk about the Lincoln Memorial below. Still, the downtown district offers even more museums, eateries, and attractions for you to explore. Take the kids to the Children's Museum or enjoy a tour of the Nebraska History Museum.

5. Native American History

According to https://native-land.ca/, the land that is now known as Lincoln, Nebraska is home to the Jiwere, Pâri (Pawnee), and O?héthi ?akówi? Native tribes. The Center for Great Plains Studies is a branch of the University of Nebraska committed to increasing the appreciation for the Native American History, cultures, art, and peoples that call Nebraska home. Native American sites near Lincoln include the Inner Maker Art Village and the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer.

6. Lincoln Memorial

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Abraham Lincoln, the leader in the new Republican party at the time, became a political figure in Nebraska when the state moved from being the Nebraska territory to becoming a statehood. He vehemently opposed the Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854, which would extend slavery into the region. Lincoln really took the political show nationwide when he debated Stephen Douglas in 1858 and took his seat of government. After that, he ran for president and won with a sweeping victory. When you visit Lincoln, you can see the remarkable Lincoln Memorial in the historic Council Bluffs district.

7. Platte River State Park

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Nestled between Lincoln and Omaha, the Platte River State Park offers a beautiful place to get away for a few days in nature. Camp, hike to the waterfall, biking alongside the river, and climb to the top of one of the observation towers that present marvelous views of the Platte River Basin.

8. Missouri River

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In Nebraska, the Missouri River flows approximately 400 miles along the state's eastern border. People from all over the state flock to the rushing waters to partake in excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Although it's a few-hour drive east of the city at the state's border with Iowa, it is well worth visiting to enjoy some time outdoors.

9. Sunken Gardens

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The Sunken Gardens was once on the list of "300 Best Gardens to Visit in the United States and Canada" by National Geographic's "Guide to Public Gardens," and visitors can see why. First developed in 1930 and originally a neighborhood dumpsite, the Sunken Gardens is now an integral feature of the city's attractions.

10. Historic Haymarket

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Lincoln's vibrant and thriving district offers a wide array of local eateries, unique shopping establishments, and fun nightlife in refurbished warehouses from the 1800s. Sights include Iron Horse Park, the "Iron Horse Legacy" mural, a restored CB&Q steam engine, and an 1890s water tower fountain.

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