ST. PAUL — A proposal to remove Civil War paintings in the Minnesota State Capitol has sparked a heated debate.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called for removing the four historic paintings, saying the Governor’s Residence Room should be filled with art that better depicts the state’s history.

The Minnesota Historical Society said earlier this month they wanted feedback from the state Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board and the Capitol Preservation Commission before voting.

The board voted 5-3 to recommend that the battle scenes not be returned to the room when the $310 million renovation is finished in January — a recommendation that conflicts with the preservation commission’s art subcommittee, which has advocated for keeping the paintings.

“The Capitol was built in the memory of Civil War veterans,” Rep. Matt Dean, R-Dellwood and CAAP board member, said in an interview Monday.

Dean recently circulated a memo to other Republican lawmakers, several of whom have announced their support. He anticipates influential DFL legislators will join the opposition. 

The planning board did not specify whether the Civil War paintings should be displayed elsewhere in the Capitol or be removed from the building.

The commission is scheduled to take up the issue Tuesday.