Cancelled – E.E. Myers America’s Greatest Capitol Architect

Lisa Ryan Adults

Date:
Tuesday, 04/04/2023
Time: 7:00 pm

Category:


THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO PRESENTER ILLNESS

On March 6, 1909, the New York Times ran an obituary for Elijah E. Myers, who had died the day before. “Myers,” the author wrote, was “known as an architect and the designer of a number of State Capitols and public buildings.” State Capitols and public buildings.” In fact, Myers had, to his credit no less than five capitol designs – more than any other architect in American history. He also designed at least a dozen courthouses, and three major city halls. No other American architect did so much to shape the buildings in which our governments function. Among Myers’s greatest works is the Michigan State Capitol – his first and most pure state house, built between 1872 and 1878. The building opened to great acclaim on January 1, 1879, and was hailed for its scandal free construction and clean elegance. The building helped establish the dome as a symbol of American democracy, and launched Myers’s national career. Myers also designed dozens of homes, churches, storefronts, schools, jails, asylums, libraries, and hospitals across the country. In an era when many people never ventured beyond their state lines, he erected buildings from Texas to Michigan, and California to Virginia. Yet today few people outside of Lansing, Denver, or Austin have ever heard his name. Who was this man? What circumstances brought about his success? And why is he today largely forgotten? Talented, egotistical, ambitious, charming, difficult, and litigious, Myers embodied America’s Gilded Age. Learn about his fantastic rise to prominence – and his ultimate fall from grace – with Capitol Historian and Curator Valerie Marvin.

About the Presenter:

Valerie Marvin is honored to serve as the Historian and Curator of the Michigan State Capitol. A graduate of the University of Michigan (Bachelor of Arts in Russian Studies, 2005) and Eastern Michigan (Masters of Science in Historic Preservation, 2009), she lives with her husband David in a 1906 home in downtown Lansing.

This program will be onsite in the Library’s Lower Level meeting room. Registration is required. Register below or  call the Library at 734-426-4477.

The Library has updated its programming attendance requirements.  Face coverings optional but highly encouraged in group indoor settings.  Face covering requirements are subject to change without notice.  Registration may be required for in-person programming.  If registration is required, registrants will need to register all members of their party.  To provide for adequate social distancing, the Library may need to limit the number of in-person attendees at each indoor program.  The Library will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions and the Library Board will review these requirements on a monthly basis.

Register Online

This event has room for 98 people. There are currently 11 people registered.

Bookings are closed for this event.


04/04/2023 7:00 PM 04/04/2023 7:00 PM America/Detroit Cancelled – E.E. Myers America’s Greatest Capitol Architect

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO PRESENTER ILLNESS On March 6, 1909, the New York Times ran an obituary for Elijah E. Myers, who had died the day before. “Myers,” the author wrote, was “known as an architect and the designer of a number of State Capitols and public buildings.” State Capitols and public […]

 Dexter District Library lryan lryan@dexter.lib.mi.us