Tour Time - the Statehouse

Back again, last week was spent visiting Wisconsin on a driving tour and doing some brand new things and enjoying return trips to some favorite places.  There's too much to blog about at once, so here's a re-cap from a "wireless" trip through America's Dairyland starting last Monday with a trip to the big building downtown.

It's like a living museum, as we were guided around the beautiful building introduced to pictures (hint: if there is a woman in a painting it is Miss Wisconsin 98% of the time), wonderful stone (granite, marble, limestone), and the ornate rooms where business can be done.... there is actually business being done.

While the legislature is on break, the Capitol is a working building.  A woman, either an elected official or non-elected public servant, ran into our group of a dozen folks on tour twice quietly asking for "pardon" as she tried to scoot past to make her next appointment.
The Governor's Conference Room was open to us, and we gathered around the table used for news conferences, photo ops, and meetings with dignitaries.

26 pictures are in the room where the walls and ceiling are ornate with gilded frames displaying pictures and epigraphs to edify those inside the room. 

The one at right was above my head at a 90-degree angle.  It occurs to me that an even better use of these 11 words might be on t-shirts or stickers to be given each lawmaker at the start of their session.  The saying doesn't allow for near-sightedness or ignorance on the part of the people... and that's where the representative democracy notion comes further into play.

Just as important are these words for the governed - as the people we elect carry out what they believe we sent them into office to do.

The Senate is an intimate formal room intended for the dignified discussion of the affairs of the State.  Microphones and lights are the only modern conveniences installed for the 33 members of the deliberative body.

Light comes from the heavens through a skylight (skylights throughout the building provide an abundance of natural light - very "green" for a building designed in 1906) that hopefully elevates the level of discourse.

Since we had a few extra moments, our guide took us behind the Senate Chamber to the Parlor.  It's off the normal tour and during session is a place for compromises to be fashioned  and deals brokered.  Our guide was married in the room.

The long and lushly paneled room has a dignified air that naturally quiets the guests - the Senate Chamber has the same feel - but maybe the senators get used to it as they do get a bit "worked up" from time to time in the midst of committing democracy.
A glance out the window provides a window on the "real world,"  as a member of that world I hope that an occasional glimpse of reality (yes, even though it's Madison, it is still real) will help the ladies and gentlemen as they go about their duties.