Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, Guia do visitante e o que fazer por perto

The Michigan State Capitol is the seat of Michigan's government, standing at 101 N Capitol Ave in Lansing. Finished in the late 1870s, this Victorian-era building is topped by a tall dome and is a National Historic Landmark. It is still where the state legislature meets and where the governor's office is based.

The story behind it

Michigan's first capital was Detroit, but in 1847 the state moved its government to Lansing, then a small settlement in the woods. The first government building there was modest, and by the 1870s the state wanted something that matched its growing size. The architect Elijah E. Myers designed the new Capitol, and it was dedicated on January 1, 1879.

Myers also designed the capitols of Texas and Colorado, and he gave Michigan a building in the Renaissance Revival style, with a central dome rising above the surrounding wings. Over the following century the interior wore down, and a major restoration in the late 1980s and early 1990s brought back its decorative paintwork and original character.

What to look for

• The dome is the first thing you notice from the streets nearby, and it looks even better from the front lawn, where the whole symmetrical facade fits into view.
• Inside the rotunda, look straight up into the dome to see the painted decoration, which was restored to its Victorian colors.
• On the grounds, find the statue of Governor Austin Blair, a Civil War governor of Michigan, and the other monuments around the lawn.
• Look for the flags and state symbols at the entrances, a reminder that this is a working seat of government and not just a museum piece.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 30 to 45 minutes if you only want to see the exterior, the grounds and the rotunda, and more if you join a tour.
• Check current opening hours and tour information before you go, because access can change when the legislature is in session or during special events.
• Expect a security check at the entrance, and travel light to make it quicker.
• Morning light on the front facade is good for photographs, and the downtown streets around the Capitol are easy to explore on foot afterwards.

See it on a quest

The Capitol is one stop on Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Lansing, a self-guided walk with a murder mystery theme. You reach each place on foot, the app tells you about it as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. That gives you a reason to look closely at the building and the streets around it. You can start whenever suits you, with no guide and no group to join, and one ticket covers your whole group.