STATE CAPITOL BUILDINGS

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to Seattle. While there, we also visited Olympia and were fortunate enough to be able to participate in a guided tour of the Capitol Building there--yes, the very one damaged in the 2001 earthquake. The tour guide not only showed our small group the public chandeliers and bust of Washington, but he unlocked doors for us to the Grand Reception Room (in which we were treated to a lovely rendition of "America, the Beautiful" by another visitor on the unique German-made grand piano) and to the two legislative chambers. It was a wonderfully informative tour--highly recommended.

Pictures and histories of Washington's and other U.S. State Capitol buildings (which may also provide guided tours)can be found on several Internet sites:

Cupolas of Capitalism
Architects Attic--links to state sites
State Capitol Buildings--photos of c.25 buildings
State Capitol Buildings--postcards

The Elk Grove Village Public Library does have several books on the State Capitols that include pictures:

State Capitals [sic] (1990) by Thomas G. Aylesworth (725.11 AYL)
America's Heritage: Capitols of the United States (1993) by Willis J. Ehlert (J 917.304 EHL)
State Capitals (1999) by Tracy Maurer (J 973 MAU)
State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols : A Historical Guide (1987) by Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer (973 SHE, J 973 SHE, & 929.92 SHE [1994 edition])