HARRISBURG — The Senate Library has a higher public profile these days with a new history exhibit drawing visitors for the first time on public tours of the Capitol.

The exhibits that opened this fall tell about the untold institutional history of the Senate dating to 1790 with the adoption of a new Pennsylvania Constitution.

For more than a century, the Senate Library in Room 157 has served as a research library for senators and legislative aides checking the legislative journals and law books for information on issues and bills they intend to write. The library is one of the few rooms in the 1906 Capitol in its original location.

Now the library is undertaking a new mission — to keep and tell the Senate story for the public.

“There is a fascinating history here and many stories to tell,” said Senate Secretary Megan Martin, who oversees the exhibits.

Martin got the inspiration for the project while touring the Library of Congress and got approval from Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-Jefferson. She said it complements efforts to provide civic education to students and visitors who learn about state government while touring the Capitol.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly dates to 1682, but it was a unicameral body until the 1790 Constitution created the bicameral institution we know today.

On display is a reminder of a time when Pennsylvania had a different ethnic makeup.

The Senate Journal for 1799 is printed in German, the language of one-third of Pennsylvania’s residents, known as the Pennsylvania Dutch at that time. The legislative journals and important public papers were printed in both English and German until the late 19th century.

For much of the 19th century, the top Senate official was known as the speaker of the Senate. The current office of President Pro Tem dates to 1873 when another constitutional change created the office of lieutenant governor.

On display are mementos of Edward Beidleman of Harrisburg, who served as pro tem 100 years ago.

Beidleman advocated passage of a “war calendar” of bills to help bolster the state’s defense and mobilization efforts during World War I. Beidleman resigned from the Senate in 1918 to become lieutenant governor.

The role of the Senate librarian is also explored in the exhibit. Senators elected the librarian until 1981.

In 1879, John Carroll Delaney, a Civil War veteran, became librarian. At age 13, Delaney ran away from home and joined Company A, 107th Regiment, Pennsyl­vania Infantry. He fought at Antietam and Gettysburg and was awarded a Medal of Honor.

But it was Herman P. Miller who put his stamp on the office.

Miller compiled a 60-year career in the Senate starting as a page. He was elected librarian in 1890, serving until he retired in 1936. Miller’s duties included compiling the legislative directories and writing resolutions.

Mary E. Kunkle worked as a stenographer for Miller. She became the first woman librarian in 1959.

Future plans call for rotating exhibits so more stories can be told and creating a website.

“This is really a great way to add some meaningful experience to the visitors who come to the Capitol,” Martin said.