HER MAMA ONCE WORKED in the state office building next to the Minnesota State Capitol. Izzy, at 16 months, is too young to understand. But, on Friday, she was among Minnesotans celebrating the grand opening of the Capitol following a multi-year $310 million restoration.
Oh, where’s Izzy? Pun intended. Photos by Amber Schmidt.
When her mama, my eldest, sent photos of Izzy playing among the #ONLY IN MN letters on the front lawn, I just had to share the cuteness.
The rest of the weekend is jam-packed with activities ranging from concerts to tours to ongoing activities for families. Will I be there? No. I’m not a fan of mega crowds in the metro, plus lots is happening locally and I’m preparing for a family reunion.
The stunning Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo from my last visit in 2009.
So “The People’s House,” as the Capitol is being promoted to all of us, will have to wait. I last toured the Capitol in 2009, when Amber worked next door. Prior to that, I’d only been there once, on a sixth grade class trip.
It’s a beautiful building. With the renovations, the first since the Capitol was built in 1905, I expect it to be even more stunning.
Some day my granddaughter can look back at these photos and hear the stories her mama tells about their trip to the Capitol on August 11, 2017…and how she cared more about a live owl than the Capitol restoration.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
photos by and copyright of Amber Schmidt
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
My perspective of the capital is a bit different than most. I recall Kafkaesque hearings when members of the house, aroused from their daze, would ask questions that could easily have come from Planet Zork.
We called it, “The Puzzle Palace.”
Still, it is a beautiful and inspiring building, one that inspires with the realization that wisdom is the product of a lot of hard work – tempered by stupidity.
There are two things a person should never see being made: sausage and laws.
Your zinger ending with this comment is so signature you and your writing style. I always appreciate your comments, Greg.
And may I add that it is Izzy who makes the capital shine.
By the way, I like her colorful little outfit, like I say, kids get all the cool stuff. 🙂
Ah, spoken like a true grandpa.
What a cute photo! I don’t care for mega crowds either. I’ll be traveling to the cities Friday with my other half to see a Minnesota Lynx game. A little outside my comfort zone. I’d rather be on the back roads taking photos of barns and horses and abandoned houses with long forgotten dreams. Thanks for your blog post!
Lynne, I hope you had a wonderful time in the Cities and perhaps photographed some back road scenes on the route home.
I surely understand opting to stay clear of crowds and city traffic… no, I’d be that girl caught up in anything nature that no one else happened to notice.
And I would expect that of you, to be caught up in anything nature. I love your passion for all things nature.
When I see your state Capitol Building, so rich with history. I think of our home town boy “Pinky” Hubert H. Humphrey from Wallace S.D..
I didn’t remember that he was from S.D. But clearly you do and thank you for sharing that with us.
Neat! I don’t blame you wanting to miss the crowds, though.
I need to tour the Capitol again. It’s such a stunning building.
Sweet pics of little Izzy. I’m with you and the avoidance of crowds, this is a time when just seeing the photo’s is a good thing.
I agree. We are so much alike.
Izzy is so cute!!! Wow what a beautiful building
She is a darling; I’ll agree with that. And, yes, the Minnesota State Capitol is one impressive building.
I would like to visit the capitol some day…it’s been a long, long time.
It’s an interesting place to tour and will be even more so now with the restoration.