My hubby and I left home at 7:00 a.m. this morning so we could meet our granddaughter's school bus when it arrived at the Capitol Building in Lansing, MI at 9:00 a.m. We were happy to be a chaperon for Isabella's 5th grade class.
I went on a school field trip to the State Capitol when I was in the third grade, and this is the first time I've been back for a tour since that long-ago visit.
We arrived a few minutes early, so I took some photos outdoors while waiting, and saw Governor Rick Snyder and his two body guards as they were leaving the capitol building. He said, "Good Morning," but I didn't take his picture.
The students receiving instructions by the capitol tour guide before the tour began.
~ Jerry and Izzy ~
The children were instructed to lay on the glass floor in the rotunda and look up at the spectacular dome.
~ The entrance corridor ~
~ Gallery of Governors on the Second Floor ~
The Governor's Office and Parlor. Since he wasn't in the building we were able to look inside.
~ The door hinges leading to the Governor's Office have Michigan's Coat of Arms engraved ~
This beautiful chandelier is one of 20 designed exclusively for the capitol, and are called "Michigan" chandeliers because they feature an elk and shield design that inspired the state's coat of arms. They were originally lit by gas, but are electrified now.
Below, the capitol guide was telling us about the chandeliers in a corridor outside the Governor's office. A portrait of President Gerald Ford is hanging on the back wall, since he was a Michigan resident [Grand Rapids].
The House of Representatives Chamber. We couldn't go inside, but the guide took us up to the third floor viewing gallery.
The capitol guide telling the students about the House of Representatives.
The coffered ceiling [which is identical in the Senate chamber] has glass panes bearing the coats of arms of all 50 states. The skylights in the roof above let natural light into the chambers through the glass panes.
We went to the viewing gallery of the Senate, but they were in session so no photography was allowed. The students and their school were acknowledged on the Senate floor.
From there we went to the old Supreme Court Chamber, now used as a meeting room for the Senate Appropriations Committee.
That concluded our fascinating capitol tour, and from there we walked a short distance to the Michigan Historical Museum. It too was very interesting, and surprisingly I photographed tea memorabilia there, but it will be a separate post.
What a fun and educational day!
That is a beautiful building. I went to a Bible School in Jackson, and we went up to Lansing from time to time. I remember walking around one evening on the grounds of the capitol and peeking in the entrance doors. I remember seeing beautiful chandeliers with the elk on them. This was in 1996! I'm sure we wouldn't be able to just walk around there these days!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photos you took!
Deanna
I remember going to our state capitol with my daughter's 3rd grade class. I grew up in a suburb on Atlanta and I don't remember visiting the capitol as a child, but going along on the school trip was fun. Your capitol building is a beautiful place, I enjoyed seeing our pictures.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun and educational day for more than just the students! Reminds me of one year when I was in junior high and visited the Georgia Capitol twice in one week with two different groups. Seeing your tour highlights makes me want to go back!
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