The Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda has a painting on the ceiling by Edwin Howland-Blashfield entitled “Resources of Wisconsin.” The painting has a central female figure, depicted as “Wisconsin”, enthroned upon clouds and swathed in the American flag. Interesting how states were symbolized a hundred years ago.
Train Load of Good Cheer
For as many years as I have been visiting the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin to see the Christmas Tree filling the rotunda, it has always had a certain simplicity about it which I love. The tree sparkles with lights. There are hundreds of hand crafted paper ornaments made by Wisconsin school children. And there has always been a model train circling the tree. Nothing fancy – this year a Wisconsin & Southern replica engine and a few cars are traveling ’round and ’round along a circular track – but it follows a rather nice tradition.
A Christmas Tradition
Curves and Rotunda

Rotunda © 2008 Bo Mackison
Graceful architecture abounds in the interior of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building in Madison, WI.