A Landmark Restored!

State Capitol Restoration Painter

Click Capitol Painter to view an enlarged version of the image.

This photo shows Mike DeLuco, a Connecticut decorative painter, at work inside the Michigan capitol. DeLuca took part in the capitol restoration project of 1989-1992 (the photo itself was taken in 1990.) When the project ended, Michigan’s capitol was rededicated. The rededication occurred on November 19, 1992.

It almost didn’t happen. By the late 1960′s, many assumed that the capitol would be replaced. Governor George Romney strongly favored a new one, and several architectural plans had been submitted for consideration.

Then came the economic woes of the 1970′s. Talk of a new capitol had to be put on hold. Meanwhile, the building’s space problem was somewhat alleviated by “overflooring.” This process involved creating new floors between existing ones. The project proved so successful that many no longer believed that a new capitol was necessary.

Photo of Jerry Lawler

Nonetheless, some problems remained. The capitol had become rundown after years of neglect, and overflooring did nothing to alleviate this condition. A full restoration was clearly in order, and it began in 1989. Jerry Lawler (photo on the right) oversaw the project as Executive Director of the Capitol Committee.

Lawler reflected on the experience in an April 20, 2007 oral history interview for the Archives of Michigan (Click Jerry Lawler Oral History to hear this interview online! Note that the interview may take a little time to load.). Lawler remembered being called to the office of Michigan Senator William Sedarburg, and Senator Sedarburg saying, “I have a little job for you.” (This account begins at 21:48 on the interview.). Lawler said that he recognized it as a “lifetime opportunity” (He relates this at 28:47 of the interview session.).

Lawler also explained his approach toward the project. He said, “From Day One, I wanted accountability.” (31:10 in the oral history interview.) Lawler stated that when he took the job, he “marched out to the construction trailer” to talk to the chief architect and the construction manager. He remembered telling them, “Anything that goes wrong, I’d better be the first one to know about it and not the last.” (Lawler relates this event in the interview, beginning at 31:47.)

The capitol restoration proved a resounding success. It garnered national acclaim and the building became a National Historic Landmark (Click Michigan Capitol: National Historic Landmark Nomination to view the National Historic Landmark nomination submitted by Kerry Chartkoff of the Michigan Capitol Committee. Also click Michigan State Historic Preservation Office Description of State Capitol to read the Michigan SHPO Web page on the building.).

The Michigan Senate adopted Senate Resolution 9 of 2007 as a tribute to Jerry Lawler. The resolution recognized his role in the capitol restoration and his thirty-eight years of service to the people of Michigan. Former Michigan Senator Joe Schwartz, who had served on the Michigan Capitol Committee, called Jerry Lawler, “the guiding light of the restoration and the guiding light of maintaining the Capitol building as the most important building in the state of Michigan.” Jerry Lawler passed away on September 14, 2007, with the restored capitol remaining as a hallmark of his legacy.

The Archives of Michigan houses a number of primary documents on the Capitol. These include many photographs and original architectural drawings. The latter include rejected designs, as well as accepted designs by Capitol architect Elijah Meyers. State records and some private papers, such as the O.A. Jenison Collection (Click Jenison collection to view the catalog record) also document the capitol’s history.