On Tue, 13 Apr 1999, Ken Follett wrote:

> Is anyone able to date the cleaning of the Michigan State Capital as per the
> attached photograph? The scaffolding method, without safety belts or safety
> lines, looks pre-OSHA. They are using rope rigs, not electric. Note the boss
> man standing on the terrace above the workers.

My apologies for not noticing this earlier.  I grew up within four miles
of this building and used to work there.  This appears to be quite an old
picture because it predates when the windows were modified in the
mid-1960s (recent restoration has de-modified them).  The caption may be
later than the photograph because it contains a ZIP code.

Until recent years, this was an abused and under-appreciated building. In
the 1960s it was argued that it was a firetrap and should be demolished.
Demolition was averted, but interior spaces were divided with half-floors
and architectural detail discarded.

Sand blasting and other abrasive cleaning methods severely eroded the
detail on the grand staircase in front; the photo shows it in much better
condition than it was even in the 1970s.  I believe the restoration
replaced the degraded elements with recreated ones.

---
Lawrence Kestenbaum, [log in to unmask]
The Political Graveyard, http://politicalgraveyard.com