Exhibits
Exhibits at the Capitol include biennial exhibits in the cases outside of the hearing rooms, virtual exhibits on the website, rotating exhibits in the Capitol Galleria, electronic exhibits in the Welcome Center and our public art throughout the building.
Featured Virtual Exhibit: A Willamette Farmer's Legacy – Thomas Dove Keizur
Featured Virtual Exhibit: A Willamette Farmer's Legacy – Thomas Dove Keizur
This exhibit was developed by the Keizer Heritage Museum with funding from the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Researched and curated by Tammy Wild. Use the circled icons at the left in the panel below to explore the exhibit.
The Capitol History Gateway Exhibit Cases: Capitol Construction
The Capitol has undergone much change in its life. Constructed in 1937-1938, the building has always been a beacon for those wishing to propose change. In 1977, the building had an expansion with the creation of hearing rooms and the “wings,” legislative offices for the Senate and House members. Today, the building is undergoing more change. With the need to create a more accessible and safe building, the legislature passed funding in 2016 to start the Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety (CAMS) construction project. To learn more about the building’s changes over time, visit the exhibit cases in front of the hearing rooms on the first floor or scroll through the panels below.
Previous exhibits shown at the Capitol:
- Nez Perce: Removal and Return, Joseph Center for Arts and Culture
- Caralyn B. Shelton: The Nation’s First Female Governor, Willamette Heritage Center
- Swedish Cabins: Legacy of Henry Steiner and Fogelbo, Nordic Northwest
- Master Penworks of Tom Stefopoulos: The Hellenic Artist of the Lovejoy Columns, Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum
- Racing to Change, Oregon Black Pioneers
- Timber Culture, Maxville Interpretive Center
- 150th Anniversary Exhibit, Oregon State University
- Military Uniform Exhibit, VFW #661
- Oregon State Constitution Exhibit, Oregon State Archives
- Hoover Minthorn House Exhibit
- Feathering the Hat, National Hat Museum
- The Second World War – An Oregon Perspective, Oregon Jewish Museum
- Woman Suffrage – More than Just The Vote, Oregon Secretary of State
Capitol Art Collection
The astounding Capitol Art Collection was the first funded by Oregon’s Percent for Art legislation, another of the state’s groundbreaking laws. Grab a self-guided tour brochure at the Guest Services Kiosk on the first floor and discover some of the Capitol’s fascinating art treasures. The collection features work by over 150 of Oregon’s finest artists and most pieces are housed in the legislative member office wings. A catalog containing photos and descriptions is available for purchase in the Capitol Store.