The Old Capitol building sits in Iowa City at the center of the campus of the University of Iowa and is one of Iowa's most recognizable symbols. According to Wikipedia, the Old Capitol was constructed in 1840 and served as the capitol of the territory of Iowa until Iowa was admitted as the 29th United State in 1846. It then continued to serve as the state's capitol until the government moved to the new capital city, Des Moines, in 1857. At that point the Old Capitol became the first building of the University of Iowa and over the years has served as classroom, library, armory, chapel, and offices. The Old Capitol is topped by a large dome covered in 23 carat gold leaf. The Old Capitol underwent a renovation in the early 2000s, at which time the dome burned down in a construction accident. Fortunately, the rest of the building was saved, and following restoration was re-opened to the public in 2006. The Old Capitol now houses a museum showcasing its history and that of the State and University of Iowa. The Old Capitol's Senate Chamber is still used for Ph.D. defenses and other special events. The Old Capitol was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. #Hawkeyes #History #Iowa #Iowa_City #Johnson_County #Old #State_Capitol #Territory #University_of_Iowa #USA
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