Old Capitol: Portrait of an Iowa Landmark (Bur Oak Original)

Built between 1839 and 1842, the domed structure of Iowa City's Old Capitol served as the third territorial capitol and the first state capitol of Iowa. In 1857, when the state government was moved to Des Moines, Old Capitol became the first building of the new University of Iowa. It remains today the centerpiece of this handsome campus. The story of its history and restoration, told in this elegantly illustrated book, is an intriguing account of historical architectural detection. Using primary sources, including manuscripts, vouchers, account books, newspaper stories, correspondence, and documents from the National Archives and Iowa repositories, Margaret Keyes portrays the major events of the total history of Old Capitol since its site was determined. Built between 1839 and 1842, the domed structure of Iowa City's Old Capitol served as the third territorial capitol and the first state capitol of Iowa. In 1857, when the state government was moved to Des Moines, Old Capitol became the first building of the new University of Iowa. It remains today the centerpiece of this handsome campus. The story of its history and restoration, told in this elegantly illustrated book, is an intriguing account of historical architectural detection. Old Capitol began as a political focal point for the new territory and state as a center of community life, used alternately for a fire station, church services, civic meetings, even fancy dress balls, tea parties, and soirees. Later it provided classrooms, offices, chapel, armory, and facilities for physical education classes for the burgeoning new university. Over the years, as buildings were added to the campus, Old Capitol became increasingly the center for administration. In 1970 a restoration project was launched to rehabilitate the old building as a museum representing three significant portions of its history, the 1840's and 1850's when it served as a territorial and state capitol and the ensuing time in which it has served the University of Iowa so splendidly. Using primary sources, including manuscripts, vouchers, account books, newspaper stories, correspondence, and documents form the National Archives and Iowa repositories, Margaret Keyes portrays the major events of the total history of Old Capitol since its site was determined. The restoration involved painstakingly and often frustrating research in order to determine the original character of the building. Original floor plans did not exist- and never have been found- and no original furniture was known to be available. Still the restoration succeeded and Old Capitol's opening in July 1976 was a major contribution to the United States bicentennial.

Built between 1839 and 1842, the domed structure of Iowa City's Old Capitol served as the third territorial capitol and the first state capitol of Iowa. In 1857, when the state government was moved to Des Moines, Old Capitol became the first building of the new University of Iowa. It remains today the centerpiece of this handsome campus. The story of its history and restoration, told in this elegantly illustrated book, is an intriguing account of historical architectural detection.

Using primary sources, including manuscripts, vouchers, account books, newspaper stories, correspondence, and documents from the National Archives and Iowa repositories, Margaret Keyes portrays the major events of the total history of Old Capitol since its site was determined.