“Preserving 
  the Legacy”

What’s Left To Do?

The restoration of the Michigan Capitol will never be completed.

Continuous maintenance and watchful use of the building, as well as bringing the beauty and significance of the Capitol to the public's attention, all constitute a major part of the restoration plan.

The Friends of the Capitol, Inc. has a dedicated mission to assist in these efforts.

The urgency of this mission is underlined by changes and uses that led up to the need for restoration. Pressure for added office space had resulted in the "over flooring" of most office areas of the building, providing two 10-foot- high offices where the original 20-foot-high office had prevailed before. Paneling, installation of new utilities, and changing tastes in interior design all contributed to changing or completely masking the original beauties of the building.

The restoration has faithfully brought back the historical integrity, the great dignity, and the original furnishings and design schemes that exemplified the aspirations and democratic institutions of a pioneering people growing from the wilderness.

Work began in 1986 with pilot restoration of the entryway to the Senate chamber, the reception areas and Committee rooms on the fourth floor, the Lieutenant Governor's office, and the 20 elaborate cast metal chandeliers in the corridors. Major work got underway in 1989 and reached conclusion in 1992. For months the Legislature met in other buildings while the House and Senate chambers were being restored to their original splendor. Scaffolding seemed to sprout everywhere, filling the inside of the dome and covering the outside.

As part of the master plan, a careful, computerized maintenance schedule has been developed and consulting specialists retained to assure technical answers are provided when and where needed. The Michigan Capitol Committee, made up of legislators and representatives of the Executive Office, supervises the process and assures that any changes are consistent with the restoration master plan.

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