A Capitol Visit

Most public school kids visit the State Capitol in the 4th grade. I never had an actual tour of the building, but our band played on the steps outside. I found the building beautiful and the history surrounding it very interesting. 

This trip was organized thanks to my friend, Krista the blond on the left of me.

A visit to the governors office. He was not in that day. 

A majority of these kids are homeschoolers. Elliot's friend Royce  in the yellow, is Krista's son. Jane was very glad her friends, twins Emma and Sophia (the older girls to her left) were there that day. They are friends from AHG. 

The State Seal.  Tuebor means to defend. We were told at the time of the seal being made, this probably meant defend against England.  I love our State Motto which is found underneath. "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."
 The Capitol was going to be torn down but a narrow vote saved it and was restored and is now a historical landmark.  

The house in session. Krista's sister had our group recognized
(this is common for those visiting the Capitol)
Her sister Lisa is a representative. We learned that there is a Rep. known as the cookie lady since she always keeps a cookie jar on her desk.  The voting is electronic these days and you can see on a screen how a Representative has voted. Green yes, red no and yellow for no decision.

Future Governor of Michigan? 

One of these kids is doing his own thing. I didn't catch him in time and this is the best photo I have.

Getting the best view of the dome.

The stars at the top of the dome contain real silver and gold This Capitol is actually the third one in Michigan's history.
It was first in Detroit but as the State grew in population they needed a more central place. Marshall, Michigan was a contender for the relocation. The officials in that town were so sure that the Capitol was going to be moved there, they actually built a Governor's Mansion. To their dismay, Lansing was eventually decided upon. 

This floor is original 1878.  When you are walking around on the floor below, you can see the feet above.

The Senate. The curator told us that the over the years the desks have had to been raised and the seats have had to be made wider. An indication of us getting healthier?
When they were attempting to restore the building they didn't have pictures of the original carpet in color. A women was found to have had a piece. She was using it in her chicken coop. They call it the chicken carpet. 

They held a contest in the 90's for a high-schooler to design one of the glass tiles. It was a kid from Traverse City who made a picture of the Mackinaw Bridge. He was paid $2,000.
The original architect of the capitol  Elijah Meyers, who was  a friend of Lincoln, was paid $2,000 to design the entire building. 

Our photo with Dick Posthumus. He was a senator many years before becoming Lieutenant Governor.  He now serves as an advisor to the current Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder. He is also Lisa's dad. 

The silly picture: The twins trying to eat Jane's head. Elliot making a nice face during the silly picture time. 
There are other museums to visit in Lansing and I hope we get a chance to visit them another day and to visit the Capitol again.