Virtual Capitol Tour

Unlike the standard Capitol tours, the virtual tour project provides in-depth information and facts about the Iowa State Capitol and its history.

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Title	Description	Video
Capitol Restoration Tour	This video explores the maintenance and restoration of the decorative painting in the interior of the Capitol. Restoration painting began in 1976 and continues today.
Tour of Westward	This video takes you on a tour of the great mural painting Westward, by Edwin H. Blashfield, a New York artist. Westward is located between the first and second floors on the east side of the Capitol.
Tour of Capitol Lunettes	This video takes you on a tour of the eight lunettes, or half-moon-shaped paintings, surrounding the rotunda. Painted by Kenyon Cox, a 19th-century American artist, the lunettes represent the progress of civilization.
Tour of the Iowa Senate	This video takes you on a tour of the Iowa Senate Chamber, located on the second floor of the Capitol. The ceiling in the Senate Chamber is beautifully painted and has undergone few changes since first constructed.
Tour of the Iowa House of Representatives	This video takes you on a tour of the Iowa House of Representatives’ Chamber. The House Chamber, located on the second floor of the Capitol, is used by Iowa’s 100 Representatives for the annual sessions of the Iowa General Assembly.
Iowa's Seven Capitols \| Iowa's Four Capital Cities	This video examines Iowa’s seven structures used as the seat of government. The story begins in the Capital City of Belmont, Wisconsin, and moves to Burlington, Iowa City, and finally, Des Moines.
Tour of Rotunda Statues	This video takes you on a tour of the 12 statues that encircle the base of the dome on the second floor of the Iowa State Capitol. Sculpted by Seraphin Cottin, the statues were installed in 1885 and were created to represent History, Science, Law, Fame, Literature, Industry, Peace, Commerce, Agriculture, Victory, Truth, and Progress.
How a Bill Becomes a Law	This video explains the process a bill goes through as it becomes a law in Iowa, beginning with a proposed idea and including drafting, committee work, debate procedure, final enrollment, and Governor’s action.
Beyond the Ropes - Part 1	This video is an in-depth look at the basement of the Capitol where you will view the foundation, original cistern, and other areas not open to the public.
Beyond the Ropes - Part 2	This is a behind-the-scenes tour of the first and second floor of the Capitol. It includes areas not normally seen on a public tour of the Capitol. You will learn about Capitol vaults, unused stairways, and how librarians access the upper balconies of the library.
Beyond the Ropes - Part 3	This video leads you through the attic and upper dome, exploring the areas above skylights and interior spaces of the top of the dome.
Glass Floor	The glass tile floor in the center rotunda was reinstalled in 2011. This video is a time-lapsed presentation of that process.