We have enjoyed stopping at state capitals on our journey. We visited Topeka on a Sunday and had little company on the roads. Our van Sparty was the only vehicle in the visitors parking lot.
As we walked all the way around the capitol building we realized we could have park on the street by the entrance.
Carl told us there were two tours, historic and dome. On the historic tour Marty told us the entire structure was built in stages. One wing and then the next to control cost . Finally they connected the buildings with the central building and the dome.
There were a number of paintings that were painted directly on to the walls. They depict different events in Kansas history including early settlers, the coming of the train and Brown v. The Topeka Board of Education.
The most controversial one was Kansas Pastoral by John Steurt Curry As he was painting it, he received many complaints including ones about the look of the cows and the length of the women’s dress. After a sabbatical the artist returned and added a group of skunks indicating his opinion of his critics. He left the rest of the painting as-is with its oddly proportioned cow and the woman’s short dress.
Carl led our tour of the dome. As we climbed we left the cool comfort of the lower floors. The heat stopped Mrs Ram about half way up.
Mr Ram continued but found the staircase into the center disconcerting.
However climbing all 296 steps brings you to the observation level walk out with panoramic views.
I noticed that Sparty had some company now.
Going down all 296 step gets you back to the 5th floor and a old cage elevator.
Another capitol building done. Maybe I should have a checklist to see which ones we have not seen…