Michigan State Capitol

Capitol history is also local history! Recently, Capitol Historian Valerie Marvin presented for Western Michigan University’s OLLI program about the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society and how to use their documents for Kalamazoo-area research.

What do Michigan Capitol Educators do when they’re traveling? Visit other capitols of course! Join Capitol Historian Valerie Marvin for a look at our building's "sorta twin" - the Connecticut State Capitol:
https://capitol.michigan.gov/post/michigans-sorta-twin---the-connecticut-state-capitol

Every October, the Michigan Supreme Court begins their session in their historic courtroom on the third floor of the Capitol building. This year, they are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 7.

NEWS RELEASE: Supreme Court to Open 2026-27 Session at State Capitol; Oral arguments will take place October 7 and 8 https://buff.ly/jJFtnbe

Michigan State Capitol
Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society

🏛️ The glass floor restoration is wrapping up!

All of the replica glass has now been installed, bringing the floor as close as possible to its original 1879 appearance. In total, 716 tiles were replaced, while 260 original tiles remain in place.

Learn more about this incredible preservation process: https://capitol.michigan.gov/history/glass-floor

✨ The 2026 Michigan Capitol Ornament is here!

This year’s gold-plated design commemorates the U.S. Semiquincentennial and America’s 250th anniversary. Take home this special keepsake for $30.

🌐 Find purchasing information at https://michigan-capitol-gift-shop.myshopify.com/

📜 Today is Cornerstone Day at !

On October 2, 1873, about 30,000 people gathered in Lansing to celebrate the laying of our Capitol’s cornerstone with parades, music, and speeches.

The city was packed for the occasion. Every hotel, boarding house, and restaurant was filled, and many Lansing residents opened their homes to visitors who came to be part of this historic day.

A very rare, important, and incredibly generous donation was recently made to Save the Flags. The descendants of General James Harvey Kidd of Ionia, who commanded the Sixth Michigan Cavalry Regiment, donated the flag carried by Company E of the Sixth during the Civil War. See the flag and read the story here: https://capitol.michigan.gov/post/civil-war-flag-donated-to-the-flag-collection

👋 See you in Lansing tomorrow!

The Michigan State Capitol will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on October 3. Enter at 100 N. Capitol Ave. for hourly guided tours.

Please note: Visitors must join a guided tour to visit the Capitol on Saturday.

Capitol staff are looking forward to the Mid-Michigan Local History Conference on October 3! Join us at the Library of Michigan, from 10:00 to 3:00 for fascinating speakers and workshops. The conference is free, but registration is required at https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/public/michigan/mmlhc

Capitol staff were saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Jane McClintock Wilson. Wilson was the founding president of the Friends of the Capitol and wrote “The Watch of the Capitol,” the first modern history of the Capitol’s construction published in 1979. Wilson’s research sparked greater interest in the aging building, and she played a vital role in the Capitol’s 1987-1992 restoration. Read Wilson's “The Watch of the Capitol” on our website at https://capitol.michigan.gov/publications