Michigan's Capitol was built in 6 years, from the summer of 1872 until September 1878.  It was then furnished and dedicated on January 1, 1879.  The dome is the most predominant feature, rising to a height of 267 feet above the ground.

Most legislative buildings are not nearly as ornate as Michigan's Capitol. Artists, artisans, and other experts replicated original designs and applied decorative paint to almost every wall and ceiling of the building.

Michigan's Capitol epitomized the nationalism that followed the Civil War, allowing state leaders and pioneers to produce one of the best State Capitols of the "Gilded Age.“

Almost every wall, ceiling, and floor of Michigan's Capitol sparkles with surfaces that attest to a living and vibrant monument, bridging the past and present. The interior of the building is an especially awesome sight to behold.

The Capitol Building represents the cumulative history of Michigan. It is the stage where citizens express state pride and petition their leaders on the important issues facing each generation.