Completed in 1879, the Michigan State Capitol is historically the third building erected to house the legislative and executive branches of Michigan?s government. Two capitol buildings in different locations were built beforehand.

Standing 267-foot high, the Michigan State Capitol was built due to the need to have a new and permanent state Capitol. Composed of four levels, it now accommodates the offices of Senate and House leadership and the ceremonial offices for the governor and lieutenant governor. There are several entrances at the ground floor and a grand staircase that leads up to the top floor. Upon entering the building, one will have a first view of the interior especially the cast-iron dome at the ceiling decorated with the paintings of the eight muses just below it. Also seen on the north wall is a large clock, called long-drop clock that was once the building?s main clock. The gubernatorial offices and the Gallery of Governors, displaying the pictures of former Governors of Michigan, are located on the second floor but the gallery extends up to the third floor. On the third floor are the public access to the chambers and offices of the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate which are decorated differently and the public galleries at the both ends.

Designed in Italianate, a Neoclassical style, the Michigan State Capitol was dedicated to become a Historic Landmark in January 1879 and was rededicated in 1992.