ST. PAUL — Several Civil War paintings will return to a prominent spot in the Capitol when it reopens next month, a historical panel involved in the years-long renovation said Thursday.

The Minnesota Historical Society’s unanimous decision ends a debate that flared last week. Gov. Mark Dayton stormed out of a meeting shortly before a separate panel overseeing Capitol renovations recommended the paintings stay put.

Dayton had wanted to replace some Civil War paintings to better reflect the state’s entire history, while veterans groups and some lawmakers fought for them to remain in the governor’s reception room to showcase an important historical event. Dayton accused Republicans of distorting his position for political gain.

But the final decision rested with the Minnesota Historical Society, which voted to return six paintings to their original spots in the Capitol — four to the reception room, and two to its anteroom. An official said they could be reinstalled within the next month or so. 

“It’s their decision to make and I accept their decision,” Dayton said in a statement.

It was one of the final details to iron out as a three-year, $310 million renovation wraps up.

But Civil War paintings weren’t the first flare-up on artwork. Following months of debate, the historical society decided earlier this year that two paintings, “Father Hennepin at the Falls of St. Anthony” and “The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux,” be moved elsewhere in the Capitol amid concern that they unfairly depicted Native Americans.