Michigan State Capitol - Have You Ever Been?

I was able to be on a backstage tour of the Michigan State Capitol last week. There were six of us total and with the Capitol Facilities Manager, we were given a glimpse at the Michigan Capitol that not many other people see. We were actually allowed up in the "dome" of the state capitol. Below are just a few images. Click through to the Tiberius Images website to the rest of the tour.

This is where we started - the 4th floor of the State Capitol. This is open to the public, but we then entered through normally locked door that would take us up into the Capitol Dome.

This is from just below the dome. I was amazed by the handcrafted work that was done on the Michigan State Capitol. Not many people are able to see the dome this close up.

The view from the "small" viewing platform (we could barely fit 5 people). In the distance you will see the Hall of Justice where the Michigan Supreme Court meets. If you've ever wondered where your state tax dollars are going, the buildings you see on the mall here are all state operated (treasury, etc).

Around the Capitol you'll see gavels everywhere - a throw back to an earlier time in politics - no 24 hour media or blogs even.

Ever wonder why people who "lobby government officials" are called lobbyists? It's because THEY HAVE TO STAND IN THE LOBBY! Literally!