I grew up in the Lansing, Michigan's state capitol!
So I've had a chance to enjoy this beautiful building my entire life!
While I was home recently, my mom and I joined my dad for lunch downtown... and we stopped by the capitol for a quick photo shoot!
As Wikipedia so eloquently explains:
In 1872, architect Elijah E. Myers of Springfield, Illinois, was selected to design Michigan's capitol building. His design, named "Tuebor" (which means "I will defend"), was selected. Myers used the central dome and wing design found in the United States Capitol in his design and subsequently went on to design two other state capitol buildings (the statehouses of Colorado State Capitol and Texas State Capitol), the most by any architect. The cornerstone was laid on October 2, 1873, with about 7,000 Lansing residents and some 30,000 to 50,000 visitors attending. Construction and finishing work were completed by late 1878. The new capitol, with 139 rooms, was dedicated at the same time as the inauguration of Governor Charles Croswell on January 1, 1879.
The Lansing capitol building inspired a national trend after the American Civil War for fireproof buildings, large enough to house expanding government as well as serving as a durable repository for artifacts of the war (including battle flags that were subsequently moved to the Michigan Historical Museum in 1990).Over the years the dome, which at first matched the light tan of the building, was repainted a bright white. The legislature funded an extensive historical restoration starting in 1989 which was completed in 1992. The restoration returned the dome to an off-white shade and made improvements to the interior, providing for access to people with disabilities as well as restoring many of the original interior designs. The Capitol Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 25, 1971 (NRHP Reference #71000396), and was designated as a National Historic Landmark on October 5, 1992.
The Michigan State Capitol is 267 feet from the ground to the tip of finial/spire above the dome. The building is 420 feet and two inches long and 273 feet and 11 inches wide (including approaches). There are four stories in the building, with public entrances on the ground floor. Two grand staircases in the north and south corridors go up to the top floor.
When it opened, the Capitol structure was large enough to host all the state agencies and departments. Due to the growth of state government, however, only the offices of Senate and House leadership, and ceremonial offices for the governor and lieutenant governor remain in the capitol.
The Capitol Pediment, located above the main front entrance to the building, is entitled "The Rise and Progress of Michigan." It depicts a central figure, Michigan, who is dressed as a Native American. She offers a book and globe to the people of her state, promising a bright future. She is surrounded by symbols of Michigan's economy, including a plow, cornucopia, and a laurel wreath to represent agriculture. Also included are symbols representing shipping, mining, and lumbering.
A few notable trees are located on the grounds. Of interest to me (and my family), is the fact that the oldest tree on the grounds is a catalpa that was present at the time the Capitol was dedicated in 1873. The American Forestry Association has certified that this catalpa is the largest living tree of its kind in the United States. (There's a long-running joke in our family because even though they are quite cool, my grandpa always considered catalpa trees "trash trees"!)
The ground floor corridors led to "store rooms" designed by the architect in the original building plans. This includes an armory in the southwest corner of the south corridor. The original wood floor has been replaced by gray tiles. The rooms were originally lit with gas fixtures, though by 1900, the entire building had been refitted with electric lights. Today the ground floor is home to several different offices, including the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and the Capitol Tours and Information Service.
I'll stop there, because that's plenty of history to slog through on your day off. So thanks for joining me on this little tour of the Michigan capitol!
I hope you have a great 4th of July!
*Yep- I'm a total nerd and spoofed Walt Whitman for the post title!
