Vacation Education

No it's not what you think, I am not going to educate you on how to have a vacation, Sorry you will need to figure that out on your own. This post is about an educational activity we partook in on my vacation this week.
I have a Unit in the CT State Capitol Building and every time I work there I think to myself that we need to go as a family and take a tour. Earlier this week the thought popped into my brain and I went on line and found that there is a free tour every hour so we figured the price was right for the weekly budget!

Capitol Building

We arrived at the Capitol Building and took the walkway which connects the Capitol Building to the Legislative Building underground by passing below Interstate 84. The tour started in the Legislative Building and we were given tidbits of information about the building and the goings on that take place with the government at the facility. We then made our way back to the Capitol Building getting information on the displays along the way. The tour continued throughout the Capitol from the first floor up to the 4th floor. While there the Lt. Governor arrived and we were able to peek in on the offices of several other state officials. While on site we were able to find the desk's of our Area Representative, Penny Bacchiochi and our State Senator, Tony Guglielmo. Unfortunately due to the time of year there were no active sessions but if we needed to I know how to get in touch with both of them in person as they are always active in our town.

Legislative Building

The Capitol Building holds lots of state memorabilia from items made out of the Charter Oak Tree, State flags carried into battle and much, much more. Our tour guide gave us lots of information both verbally and pamphlets with which we could expand our knowledge. When the tour was over we were given free range of both buildings and were able to find displays that were tucked away in the basement. It was a great experience and we are planning on taking a family field trip when the government is in active session so we can watch them in action and who knows, maybe we will come up with something to purpose into law to make our State and Town a better place.

 Ornate doors of the Legislative Building

 WWII Defenders of Freedom

 How do you vote? Yea or Nay

 Chair Made from the Charter Oak Tree

 Inside view of the Gold Capitol Dome

 Replica Liberty Bell

 The Genius of CT

 In Peaceful times the Eagle's head points towards the Olive Branch

In War times it would be facing the arrows

 Amazing architecture and one of the 2 water fountains for watering the horses

 Hidden in the basement - we found them while admiring the painted state seal above.

 Metal of Honor

Memorial to our residents who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan

 These are closeups of the panels in the Legislative Building doors. They are hand crafted from multiple types of wood and they all had significance to the state of CT. These are only a few there were many more.

 View of the Capitol from the Legislative Building

 Floor of the Legislative Building

 13" Mortar used to protect our coastline

 Thomas Hooker the founder of Hartford and the Charter Oak Tree