Texas Capitol Ornament Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The project supports funding of future preservation and education initiatives at Capitol Square.
Written by Adam Faderewski
The newest ornament in the Texas Capitol Ornament Program pays homage to
the first design issued in 1996 in celebration of the program’s 25th
anniversary.
The 2020 ornament is inspired by the south façade of the statehouse. The three-dimensional design features the Capitol dome and south entrance, colored in the hue of the Texas Sunset Red granite used to build the Capitol. Last year’s ornament celebrated the Lone Star Locomotive that hauled the red granite in from Granite Mountain, near Marble Falls in Burnet County.
Above the entrance are the six seals of Texas and the dome complemented by the American flag and Texas flag. Opening the doors of the ornament reveals the statehouse south foyer complete with the marble statues of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, which were sculpted by Elisabet Ney, of Austin. Also visible is the 1936 terrazzo floor leading to the Capitol rotunda that showcases portraits of the presidents of the Republic of Texas and governors of the state of Texas.
The ornament program was established in 1996 by the late Nelda Laney, wife of then-Speaker of the House Pete Laney. To date, the program has raised over $21 million, making it the largest state ornament program in the country. All proceeds from ornament sales go toward the preservation and maintenance of the Texas Capitol, Capitol Extension, the 1857 General Land Office Building, other designated buildings, and their contents and grounds. Funds also go toward preserving the Texas Governor’s Mansion and to operating costs for the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Texas State Cemetery.
The ornament costs $22 and proceeds benefit the Texas State Capitol
preservation and educational programs.
For more information and to purchase an ornament, go to texascapitolgiftshop.com.TBJ
