The following is required to claim this cache:
1) At the bottom of the steps on the EAST side of the building is a plaque stating what year the Old Capitol became a National Historic Landmark. What year was that?
2) At the top of the steps on the EAST side of the building there is another plaque commemorating the Old Capitol building. Who donated this plaque to the University of Iowa?
3) Without giving away information for the above question, please attach a picture of you visiting the Old Capitol to your log.
Old Capitol History
In May 1839, Iowa City was named the first capitol of the Iowa Territory and construction began on this building on July 4, 1840. However, the first architect, John Francis Rague resigned 9 days later leaving Chauncey Swan (a territory commisioner) to oversee construction. In 1846, Ansel Briggs became the first govenor to be inaugruated in this building and over a year later, on December 28, 1846, Iowa received it's statehood. This was only the beginning.
On February 25, 1847, the University of Iowa was founded in the Old Capitol building. However, the first president of the university, Amos Dean, wasn't named until 1855 when classes first began. In this same building on January 25, 1857 the State Historical Society was founded. Later that year on December 1st, 1857, the state capitol was moved to Des Moines, where it remains. Though the state capitol had moved, this building still played a significant role for the University of Iowa.
It housed the entire university from 1857 to 1863 and the Iowa Law School from 1868 to 1910. Becaues the buidling was almost 100 years old, it underwent some renovations from 1921 to 1924. In 1970, University of Iowa president Willard Boyd announced that the Old Capitol was going to become a National Historic Landmark and museum.
In 2001, a fire was accidentally started in the cupola as renovations were being done to the cupola and dome. The cupola, dome, and bell were a total loss. The Old Capitol received a new bell on December 30 2002, a new dome on February 23, 2003 (which is still visible today), and completely reopened to the public on May 6, 2006.
The Old Capitol Museum is open to the public, boasts free admission, and allows for self guided tours. Hours are:
Sunday-Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm
*The museum also has an annual winter closing which is typically over the University of Iowa Winter Break*
Information for this was provided by: https://oldcap.uiowa.edu/about/history
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.