City: Omaha, NE

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (402) 471-0448

Address: 1445 K St.

Insider Pick:

Description: Nebraska’s state capitol is one of the most singular in the country. Designed by architect Bertram Goodhue in 1920, it was the first vernacular state capitol; today it’s one of only three “skyscraper” capitols. (The other two: Florida and Louisiana.) The capitol was the result of a nationwide design contest run by the state of Nebraska. Goodhue’s building is the third to live on the site and it was the nation’s first to depart radically from the traditional design of state capitols and instead use a tower.Workers built the capitol in four phases over a 10-year period—1922 to 1932—and the building cost just under $10 million dollars. Goodhue personally selected artists to decorate the interior of the capitol, and these renderings are truly stunning. Tile and mosaic designs by Hildreth Meiere show the natural and social history of Nebraska’s Native American heritage and pioneer settlers. Hartley B. Alexander helped the artists with thematic design, inscription, and symbolism; and sculptor Lee Lawrie created work for the vast space. The art in the dome of the capitol, especially, is captivating; the capitol tour guides are always friendly and able to answer any question about the stunning mosaic.The outside of the capitol is designed as a cross within a square, resulting in four outdoor courtyards. The tower itself is 400 feet tall and is topped with a bronze statue. The building is decorated with frieze carvings showing the 3,000-year history of democracy and government. Tours are available; call for details.