Friday, 13 March 2009

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  Nebraska State Capitol

  
  The kids are on Spring Break so we decided to go somewhere and do something.  Let's see, what's in our price range (free) that isn't too far away?  Ah! So, we drive to Lincoln where we first stopped at the Museum of Nebraska History which was very cool (and almost free---suggested donation of $2), but we didn't have enough time there to get to the third floor.   We definitely could have spent more time there.  This usually isn't my 'cup 'o' tea' (museums, that is), but this was about "people" and that I am interested in.

  We had to get to the Capitol before the last tour of the day--which is FREE! and anyone can just walk in and start taking pictures. I probably shouldn't say this like online and all, but there was like no, none, nada security check at all to get into this place. When we went to the museum, they made me leave my bag in a locker, but nay, I could carry it wherever I went in the Capitol. It just struck me as odd in this day & age post 9-11, that's all. 

  Warning: this post is filled with what might potentially be very boring pictures to anyone but me, but whatever...look at them if you want, don't if you don't want to.  This building is an amazing work of art and arcitecture---pictures just do not do it justice.  And I could have taken about a billion more, but I also knew even as I was snapping away, that pictures of scenery, artwork, sculptures and buildings just don't come out the same as when you were there live and in person.  And of course, I can't remember all the symbolism behind every light fixture, mural or pillar---but there was tons of it throughout.   

  Here the kids are standing in front of Abraham Lincoln--who our state capital is named after.  You can't see it, but on the wall behind ole Abe is the Gettysburg Address.

  

  There were murals throughout---each having symbolism representing every little detail of it.

   

  See the circular light fixture (looks like Saturn?)?
  It has 48 light bulbs on it, representing the 48 states at the time the capitol was built.

  

  This is the door leading into the East Chamber.  It represents Native American culture & life.  The doors to the West Chamber were open so I didn't get a picture of them.  And we only got to look into the room through glass doors as our Legislature is in session.

  

  FYI:  Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature.  Just in case you're ever on Jeopardy and need to know the answer to that one (seriously, I actually got that one right last week when I was watching Jeopardy!!)

  A ceiling shot...

  

  A floor shot....
               mosaics, mosaics everywhere!!!
  Thousands upon thousands-- millions --pieces of tile!!

  

  A very bored Gillian....

  

   

  I didn't add pictures of it, but we could also view out from the top of the capitol and see all of Lincoln and beyond below us (yes, Charlie..including Memorial Stadium!!). It was cold so we went back in and took these pictures (below). The next four pictures are of the central room of the 14th floor.  And I'm just going to copy/paste this because I know I'll mess it up.

  The central room of the 14th Floor Observation Level is the Memorial Chamber, it is "dedicated to the forms of heroism called for in the public service and in devotion to humanity". The dignity of the Chamber is derived from the monumental use of black marble--Black Belgian, Italian Porto Oro, and Vermont Verde Antique. The inscription beneath the murals is taken from Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.
  
  Eight murals representing "heroic enterprises associated with Nebraska history" were added to the Chamber in 1996. The murals were painted by Nebraska artist Stephen Roberts and represent four military themes and four civic themes. The dome quietly represents the evening sky, and the chandelier the stars shining in it.
  

   

  Again, outside--around the entire building are all the counties in Nebraska--there we are: "Fillmore"

  

  My 'cousin-in-law' Liz works in the capitol on the 13th floor.  We met up with her and my cousin Christopher to eat at Hu Hot where we ate until we were stuffed and had a lot of laughs and very bored kids ("mo-o-o-o-m...can we go yet?"). A quick trip to the mall to basically buy nothing and let the kids go up & down the escalator a few times and we were off to the Haymarket area to have ice cream cones at Ivanna Cone where I had a waffle cone with a double scoop of double dutch chocolate and hazelnut coffee.   

  It was a good, good day.

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