A rolling scaffold was moved around the Capitol Rotunda from October 9 to November 5, 2001. It enabled mural conservators to examine the frieze and to repair minor streaking caused by water leaks in late 1999 and early 2000. The work had to be performed under daylight, but the scaffold was moved during non-public hours, so the Rotunda remained accessible to visitors.

The 300-foot-long frieze, painted in fresco to look like carved sculpture, is 60 feet above the floor. It was designed by Constantino Brumidi, who began painting it in 1878. Brumidi's designs were completed after his death in 1880 by Filippo Costaggini, and Allyn Cox finished the final section of the frieze in 1953. Additional information about the frieze is available.

The fresco has periodically been damaged by water leaks over its history. It was given full conservation treatment in 1986-1987, and repairs were last made in 1994.

While the scaffold was in place to provide access, the ledges and eight relief carvings created between 1825 and 1829 were cleaned and inspected and the condition of the sculptures was documented by a sculpture conservator.