Built
between 1839 and 1842, Old Capitol was an early home for Iowa's territorial
government and in 1846 became its first state capitol. Its architect, John
Francis Rague, envisioned a landmark of simple dignity, using classical Doric
and Greek styles.
'Old Cap' is not only the birthplace of the State of Iowa. It is also the birthplace of the University of Iowa, by an act of the state's General Assembly in 1847. A decade later, when the state capitol was moved to Des Moines, Old Capitol became the University's new home and heart.
Throughout its 160 years, Old Capitol has meant different things to different people: a place to celebrate or mourn, a place to protest or play. When an accidental fire during restoration work destroyed its dome on November 20, 2001, a new void appeared, but one which University officials vow will end with the completion of a new dome in the same tradition and style.
This online exhibit recounts examples of how 'Old Cap' has found its way into the University's life over the decades. To learn more, read Margaret N. Keyes' Old Capitol: Portrait of an Iowa Landmark. Also, visit the Old Capitol Museum Web site at http://www.uiowa.edu/~oldcap/. To follow the progress of Old Cap's restoration, visit the Old Capitol Fire Restoration and Building Improvements Web site at http://www.facilities.uiowa.edu/OldCapitolProject/index.html.
Unless otherwise noted, items displayed are from the University Archives, Dept. of Special Collections.
Please send comments to lib-spec@uiowa.edu.