The Oregon State Capitol was built over 2 years during the 1930s after the previous two capitols were destroyed by fire. See the result today, a magnificent example of art deco architecture topped by an unusual-looking dome in a ribbed lantern shape.
Go on a guided or self-guided tour of the legislative building. Start in the rotunda on the first floor. View four murals depicting events in the settlement of Oregon by European explorers and American pioneers. Have your photo taken next to the state seal. Note the 33 gold leaf stars around the perimeter. They represent Oregon’s admission to the United States as its 33rd state.
Also on this level is the Capitol History Gateway Interpretive Center Experience. Browse exhibits that reveal how ordinary citizens contributed to major changes in the state.
Enter the Senate Chamber and the House of Representatives Chamber on the second floor. When the houses are in session, go to the viewing galleries on the third floor to watch the debates and discussions. During your time in the building, pause to survey the many works of art from its collection, including paintings and sculptures.
Combine your visit with a tour of the tower. Climb up the 121 steps to the observation platform. From here you can see Salem, Willamette Valley and beyond. Look up at the 22-foot-tall (7-meter) statue of the Oregon Pioneer that crowns the building.
The Oregon State Capitol is located in Salem, Oregon's capital city, close to the downtown historical district. Arrive by taxi, public transportation or drive. Use the metered parking spaces around the capitol or the free parking in several lots around the downtown area.
Self-guided tours are available on weekdays throughout the year, except for major public holidays. For details of the guided tour schedule, visit the building’s official website. All tours are free.
After your visit to the Oregon State Capitol, stroll through the State Capitol State Park, 21 acres (8.5 hectares) of grounds surrounding the capitol building. Among its major features are 75 species of trees and statues of prominent people in Oregon's history.
