The Restoration
The restoration of California’s State Capitol began in 1976 and lasted six years, about half the time it took to construct the original building a century earlier.
The Capitol Restoration
A series of seismic reports in the 1970s condemned the Capitol’s structural integrity. California and its leaders confronted the stark choice to either replace the Capitol with new structures or restore the original building.
Structural Integrity and Rediscovery
Such a colossal project posed many obstacles and challenges for the architects, engineers, and restorers involved in the Capitol’s restoration.
Restoration Craftsmanship
In 1975, when the Capitol restoration project began, the building’s exterior decorative elements had deteriorated to the point that they posed a serious threat to public safety.
Capitol Museum
In the early 1990s, the Legislature contracted with the California State Parks to perform interpretative duties for the Capitol and to manage the museum and exhibits.
California State Capitol Museum — Building a Legacy: 150 Years of the California State Capitol
This was a website specifically for the “Building a Legacy: 150 Years of the California State Capitol” Exhibit which ran May 20, 2019 – March 22, 2020 at the California State Capitol Museum.
For Museum-related information such as contacts, hours and location: Visit capitolmuseum.ca.gov.