MLive says: “Sometimes an indoor view can rival even the beautiful Michigan outdoors. The dome inside the Michigan State Capitol provides one such view. Walk inside the building and look up to see the artistry of the rotunda and inner dome that are decorated in hand-painted designs. The designs have been restored by hand to look just like they did when originally created in the 1870s. The rotunda and dome are far from the only sights to see inside the building that houses the state legislature. From the chandeliers to the trim to the carpets, it is worth snagging a tour to see everything this historic building has to offer.”
May 7, 2021
I took Friday off of work to head out on this weekend’s county excursion - this trip marked the beginning of the end, in some ways. I have the rest of the counties mapped out and am on track to finish this summer (finally). After being thrown very off track by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am finally feeling like I can safely travel again as a fully vaccinated human (who still uses a mask when traveling, because who knows!). I hopped in my car and made my way toward Lansing, Michigan’s underwhelming capitol city.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the Lansing area, after having a number of friends attend Michigan State University just next door in East Lansing. Given this, I’ve driven by the Capitol Building itself a number of times; but, the last time I actually went inside was during a 4th grade field trip! Does this make me a terrible advocate/activist? Maybe. I pulled up on North Capitol Avenue on a particularly warm and sunny spring morning, and did what I always do when I get to a new location: stuck my trusty 28-70mm lens on the front of my camera and got to photographing the site.
As I wandered around the property, I realized I hadn’t done any research on the entry rules or photography protocols for the building. I knew I was obviously allowed to photograph outside, but I wasn’t even sure that I was allowed to go inside (unscheduled) after the protests and insurrections over the last year. As I stood on the grounds, my mind wandered to the news articles of the last year and the photos that had accompanied them: militia-people with automatic firearms on the steps, congresspeople showing up to work in bullet proof vests, “Freedom Rides” taking place down the streets of Lansing, and the signs and rhetoric offered by angry and misguided demonstrators. Knowing all of that, standing on the grounds on a beautiful and quiet morning was unsettling. I meandered up to the steps of the Capitol and figured no one would bother me for taking some up-close photos of the architecture and exploring the exterior of the building, knowing what had been allowed on these grounds over the course of the year.
I saw a sign directing visitors to enter under the staircase, so I ventured down there, donned my mask, and opened the door. I perused the bulletin board of notices in the sally port, noting when congress would be back in session next, and turned to the main doors. There were security guards inside, and a few other administrative folks at desks. I decided to go inside and see what would happen.
No one really acknowledged me when I walked inside, and not until I approached the security desk did someone look up. I expected to be asked why I was there, if I had an appointment, etc. Instead, one of the guards eyed my camera and asked, “Do you want to take a tour of the building? Head over to the desk across the hall.” I commented that I didn’t expect to be allowed access to the building, given the pandemic and the social unrest of the last year; the guards assured me I was fine. I wasn’t questioned, searched, asked for my ID, or asked to leave my backpack anywhere: they just let me in. This folks, is called privilege.
I grabbed a self-guided tour brochure from the next desk, and was sent on my way to wander the Capitol Building entirely unsupervised and without any mention of rules or restrictions. Having not been there since I was a young child, I had no idea where I was going, and set off on quite an indoor adventure. As I wandered about, I noted congressional offices, amazing architecture, beautiful design details, and some really beautiful art. I of course spent a significant amount of time admiring the gorgeous rotunda, and took some moments of pause outside of Governor Whitmer’s office door.
I admittedly got a little emotional, thinking of my own budding aspirations to be an elected official or other change-maker: would I one day report to this building as part of my own career? When I circled the portraits of past governors in the rotunda, I reflected on Jennifer Granholm’s larger than life presence on those walls as the only female governor (until recently - go Gretch, go!), with a small model wind turbine on the desk painted next to her: knowing she’s in Washington DC as the Secretary of Energy makes me proud. I visited the house and senate chambers, the supreme court chambers, and even sat myself in the gallery chairs and imagined a congressional session happening live.
I walked by various staff people who were involved in security, cleaning, or giving live virtual tours of the building using tablets and headsets. No one said a word to me, as I snapped photos and curiously poked about.
As I concluded my self-guided exploration of the Capitol, I thanked the security staff on my way out and counted myself very lucky to have had such an empty building to photograph - it was easier to capture the grandeur and beauty without the busy nature of a regular day.
I finished my time in Lansing by stopping at my favorite local restaurant: For Crepes Sake! They used to be located right across the street from the Capitol Building, but moved to East Lansing (right down the road from the co-op house my friends used to live in). I popped in for a savory vegan(!) crepe and strawberry lemonade, and enjoyed it sitting by a sunny window. After an extremely satisfying brunch, I took off for my next stop of the weekend!