Description

---

On the occasion of the Capitol’s centennial in 2017, this book tells the remarkable story of the building—in all its incarnations—and the people who made history beneath its dome. The book covers the creation of the territorial capitol in 1837, the construction of the second capitol in the 1860s (and the fire that almost completely destroyed it in 1904), the eleven-year construction project that completed the third capitol in 1917, and the extensive conservation project of the 1990s that restored the building to its grandeur. Supporting the framework of this architectural history are colorful stories about the people who shaped Wisconsin from within the Capitol—attorneys, senators, and governors (from Henry Dodge to Scott Walker), as well as protesters, reformers, secretaries, tour guides, custodians, and even Old Abe, the Capitol’s resident eagle. Combining historical photographs with modern, full-color architectural photos, The Wisconsin Capitol provides fascinating details about the building, while also emphasizing the importance of the Capitol in Wisconsin’s storied history.

About the Author

---

Michael Edmondsis the author of two award-winning books from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press: Out of the Northwoods: The Many Lives of Paul Bunyan and Risking Everything: A Freedom Summer Reader. Between 2006 and 2015, Edmonds wrote more than 500 "Odd Wisconsin" sketches for a syndicated weekly newspaper column, and he co-wrote Warriors, Saints, and Scoundrels: Brief Portraits of Real People Who Shaped Wisconsin (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2017) based on those sketches. He has written articles for the Wisconsin Magazine of History and other journals.

Praise For…

---

Michael Edmonds, the Wisconsin Historical Society's director of programs and outreach, has put together a delightful new book that will serve as a treasure for all who care about the state's colorful and storied history. … This book is a keepsake. (Dave Zweifel,Editor Emeritus,The Capital Times, July 12, 2017)