Old Iowa Capitol Building

The Old Capitol Building, whose cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1840, served as the center of government after Iowa City was designated the state capital in 1839. A defining landmark of the University of Iowa campus today, the building has played a central role in the state’s early political history.

In 2001, a fire destroyed the dome and caused extensive damage to the building from smoke and water, leading to a five-year closure. Many historic artifacts and furnishings—including desks used by Iowa’s earliest lawmakers—were protected by firefighters during the emergency response.

Following reconstruction of the dome, EverGreene returned in 2022 to complete the re-gilding. The team prepared and primed the new dome surface and applied custom 23.75 karat gold leaf, restoring its historic appearance and reestablishing the building’s presence on the Iowa City skyline.