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Preservation of The State Capitol
by AIA Wisconsin Historic Resources Committee

AIA Wisconsin supports a program of advocacy for preservation of the State Capitol. It is important for Wisconsin architects to actively work to raise awareness of the need for preservation-oriented policies, programs, staff and funding. As part of its mission, the Historic Resources Committee (HRC) will lead this effort for AIA Wisconsin.

With the restoration and rehabilitation of Wisconsin 's premier governmental and ceremonial structure completed, state taxpayers have fulfilled a significant pledge towards our State Capitol functioning effectively into the 21st century. One outcome of the $145 million, 12-year, multiple-phased project was that the Capitol was named a National Historic Landmark. While the designation is based principally on the building's architectural significance, it also implies that National Park Service standards were met through the work of the restoration and that the building emerged with its architectural and historical integrity effectively reinstated. The HRC feels it is imperative that the current state of preservation in the Capitol not be compromised by the lack of a regular long-term maintenance strategy and the adequate resources to keep the building's systems fully functional and its furnishings, finishes and artwork properly cleaned and in a state of good repair.

Background
Despite the sizable investment made between 1906 and 1917 in constructing the Capitol, before it was fifty years old, it had suffered the full host of ills common to many governmental buildings that are valued more for their office space than for their architectural merit. By the mid-fifties, the heavily ornamented architecturally lavish spaces were considered out of fashion and, over the course of the following decade, original office interiors were modified so extensively that they would not have been recognized by the original occupants. By then, the historic interior color scheme had been long forgotten and dropped ceilings, fitted with fluorescent fixtures, obscured decorative moldings. As the building came to be regarded as antiquated, a pervasive indifference towards maintaining the Capitol and its distinctive elements impacted it negatively. In 1967, the state recognized it must be a better steward of this magnificent cultural resource. The State Capitol and Executive Residence Board (SCERB) was created and worked to formulate a Master Plan for the use of the building and Guidelines for its restoration and preservation. In 1987, the Master Plan and Guidelines were in place and the work of restoration and rehabilitation commenced. The completion of the restoration in 2001 marked the culmination of 34 years of effort to restore the Capitol properly.

The state now is at an important crossroads in the life of this building, representing a juncture at which it would be wise to consider the lessons of the past in order to prevent history from repeating itself. The completion of the restoration and rehabilitation provides an exciting new beginning for Wisconsin 's premier cultural landmark, a resource significant not only to Wisconsin , but also to the entire nation. The vast public spaces of the Capitol have been restored and the building has been completely upgraded with state-of-the-art mechanical and communication systems that governmental operations require. Although the Capitol has been transformed into a modern office building, the introduction of technology does not impair its historical and architectural integrity. These qualities have been reinstated through a variety of dedicated preservation procedures that included conservation, restoration and rehabilitation. It is vital that the results of this effort remain intact. Now is the time to sustain the initiative.

A preservation-oriented maintenance program will save the state money in the long term and is necessary to ensure the life and integrity of this nationally significant treasure. Maintenance in the Capitol should be carried out in accordance with guidelines for acceptable procedures, with special provisions developed for evaluating and monitoring character-defining elements. Educational and outreach programs that instruct occupants concerning the respectful use of the building will be crucial to maintaining the Capitol's architectural quality, possibly leading to far-reaching effect if a “culture of care” were to be established among building occupants and guests. Hiring a full-time curator who would be responsible for the care of artwork, finishes and objects of value contained within the Capitol would make an important contribution to preserving those elements that impart historic character to the building. Finally, SCERB and the Wisconsin Legislature should cooperate to establish and adopt a long-range Master Plan for upkeep of the Capitol. This could include fund-raising strategies and the identification of grant opportunities for special conservation projects.

Properly trained staff and contractors and a sufficient budget for the effective maintenance of the building and its contents are critical to success. The Capitol defies monetary valuation; it is irreplaceable. The Legislature must recognize the unique needs of the building as the sum of its increasingly valuable parts and, further, acknowledge that an operating budget required of a more typical state office building will not suffice for the Capitol. Measures should be taken at this time to protect our state's recent investment, which is reflective of public commitment to the building. The standards of excellence and craftsmanship demonstrated in the original construction and again in the restoration must be upheld.

The Capitol is not just another building housing offices and meeting rooms. Rather, it is the architectural embodiment of the heritage, memory and aspirations of the State of Wisconsin . The citizens of Wisconsin are stewards charged with preserving this legacy for future generations.

EDITOR: This article was originally published in Wisconsin Architect volume 76, issue 1.