Old State Capitol preservation and renovation efforts get $15 million investment
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Renovation and preservation work on the historic Old State Capitol will get a $15.1 million boost from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
The money will go towards a variety of improvements according to an announcement from the governor's office Friday including replacement of the roof and wooden flooring, asbestos removal, and an expansion of the site's public restrooms. The site, a reconstruction of the Illinois Statehouse from 1840 to 1876, will be closed to the public for the duration of the work.
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“The Old State Capitol is one of the most revered historic sites in Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement. “I’m proud that our administration is investing in the preservation of the site to ensure future generations can connect to this place and to the important lessons in history that are shared here.”
The investment comes after $1.6 million came to the Old State Capitol for drum — the area supporting the dome — repairs in the spring of 2021 before reopening later that fall. Now entering the second phase, the governor's office said $17.6 million has been invested into the project.
In recent months, a marker was added to the site denoting its place where Barack Obama announced he would be seeking the presidency in 2007 and naming Joe Biden as his running mate in 2008. Inauguration ceremonies for state senators in the 103rd Illinois General Assembly were held there earlier this month.
More:'He's Springfield's president.' Marker commemorates Obama's historic campaign events
Historically, the Old State Capitol is mostly known as being the location where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech in 1858 after accepting the Republican Party nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Mayor Jim Langfelder said the site's connection to Lincoln and Obama makes its magnitude expand beyond Springfield and even the state.
"It holds a significant place in our history from the Great Emancipator to the first African-American president," the mayor said Friday. "They both practiced their legislative reach right here in Springfield and the Old State Capitol really symbolizes that."
More notoriety is ahead for the Old State Capitol.
The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance announced a locally-produced documentary chronicling the 1960s demolition and reconstruction of the historic building that will air on PBS stations during President's Day weekend.
"History Reborn" details the project and the Springfield architects who made it happen -- Augie Wisnosky, Paul O’Shea, the late Don Ferry, and Wally Henderson. The SSGA produced the documentary in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and The Storytellers Studio, a local production company.
“This film reminds us of Springfield's historical significance, not just to our state but to the world, said Ryan McCrady, SSGA chief executive. "It’s important from an economic development perspective because it demonstrates to potential businesses thinking about developing in Springfield, that we value our history. Stories like this should also inspire our community and make everyone proud to call this place home.”
Contact Patrick Keck: pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Old State Capitol renovation project gets $15 million investment
