Dedicated in 1938, the current capitol is a National Historic Landmark blending traditional and modern styles in a domed rotunda. The historic Capitol is currently closed for construction. We …

Constructed from 1936 to 1938 and expanded in 1977, the current building is the third to house the Oregon state government in Salem. The first two capitols in Salem were destroyed by fire, one in 1855 and the other in 1935.

Among capitol buildings in the United States, the Oregon State Capitol in Salem is a landmark of Modernistic design. Like most other statehouses, it was symmetrically organized in the tradition of Classically inspired architecture, but it was stripped down to its essential form and detailed with utmost simplicity.

After a day touring the Capitol, take a stroll in the Salem Downtown Historic District . Just two blocks east of the Capitol, the district boasts over 40 preserved buildings spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

An imposing three-story structure of brick and native Umpqua sandstone, the Oregon state capitol also was Classical in style, but it combined features of Italian Renaissance architecture with those drawn from antiquity.

Surrounded by a 21-acre state park, the Capitol is in the heart of historic downtown Salem. While a large-scale construction project has temporarily closed access to the Capitol's historic building, we invite you to take a virtual tour to explore one of Oregon’s treasures.

Mar 4, 2025 · Construction on the ground and basement levels of the Oregon State Capitol is nearing its final months. Contractors expect the work to be finished in September, as part of a larger project set to end in 2026. On the outside, parts of the building are covered in scaffolding, fences and construction equipment.

This immersive educational tool provides noteworthy facts about the building, artifacts and objects found at the Capitol and the surrounding grounds using photos, videos, downloadable PDFs and narrated audio.

The Oregon State Capitol uniquely captures a particular moment in time when traditional classicism of civic buildings was transitioning to modernism. Built in 1936–1938, following a fire that destroyed its classically inspired predecessor, the new capitol building illustrates how mid-twentieth century individuals envisioned a civic building ...

Sep 15, 2024 · The Oregon State Capitol stands out as a icon of architectural innovation and a pivotal component of Salem’s cultural and political landscape. Its design evolution, symbolic features, and public uses significantly contribute to the city’s identity.