The sixteen historic benches in the Capitol Rotunda have been restored to resemble their original appearance.

Made in 1859 for the House Chamber, the benches were used there for only one year; in 1860 desks and chairs were brought back. Some of the benches remained in the Capitol, and eight were placed in the Rotunda in 1929. Others were loaned outside the building. In 1976, six benches were reclaimed and two were fabricated to provide two under each painting. At that time the oak was sanded and given a light finish, and the cast-iron elements were painted a dark brown bronze color.

A study conducted in 2000 for the Architect of the Capitol indicated that the original "Florentine Bronze" coating on the cast-iron sides could be uncovered on some of the benches. The project to study, clean, repair, and refinish the benches began in 2004 and was completed in 2006.

The new finishes on the benches replicate the original ones. "Florentine Bronze" was found through exposures and historic research to be a coppery reddish brown metallic finish, and the dark stain on the oak frames matches areas of original finish found during the study.

Before restoration, the benches were darkened by brown paint and disfigured by scratches, abrasions, and chewing gum.	The replicated metallic finish gleams on the restored benches.

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