Visiting Politics in Action



A visit to the city of Madison would not be complete without a trip to the Capitol building. From inside the walls of the Capitol where laws are made and taxes levied, to the mall leading away from the Capitol building, connecting it the Univeristy of Wisconsin - Madison, a trip to this building is a fun way to explore Wisconsin history and politics. The building itself has undergone a great deal of trauma to get to its current status. There were redesigns, fires, and red tape, but today it presides over the city of Madison as majestic as any other state's model of the United States Capitol. This building is actually the fourth in a long line of previous Capitol buildings for Madison.

Renovations to the Capitol building have occurred as early as the beginning of this century. Those with a desire to view or tour the building will have the benefit of seeing it newly restored and cleaned. The building currently houses both branches of the Wisconsin legislature, as well as the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. The building is 284 feet and five inches tall from the ground floor to the very top of the dome statue. This makes it three feet shorter than the United States Capitol. The statue on the dome wears a helmet that features a badger on its top. This statue is made of hollow bronze and covered in gold leaf.

Some of the stones that were used in the construction of the Capitol feature fossils. One of the staircases features a fossil of a starfish.The building as 705 rooms and 714 windows. There are often a variety of events going on around the Capitol building. Occasionally, one will come across a political protest, more commonly when the Wisconsin legislature is in session.

Located in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin, the Capitol is a part of the landscape of the city. It is interesting to examine the eclectic, progressive attitude of the city that serves as the state capital. While much of the state would probabl consider themselves conservative, outside of Milwaukee city, Madison is a hotbed of progressive political action. It is often cited as being quirky, unusual, artistic, and unique. Much of this may be due to the fact that it is a college town, but many in the state are amused at how the politics of the city effects the politics of the entire state.

Visiting the Capitol building is a great part of any trip to Madison. You can tour the structure and sit in on sessions of lawmakers when they are working. Architecture buffs will love the buiding itself, and will more than likely spend hours lost and observing the artistry of the structure. Others will enjoy the area around the Capitol building that features a number of retail establishments, dining opportunities, and stores filled with handcrafted goods. Whether you live in Wisconsin, or you are visiting from out of state, a trip to the Capitol building in Madison is entertaining and educational.

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