Setting out in the morning, our first stop was the Iowa State Capitol building. Built in 1871 (at a cost of ~ $3 M) it is the home of the state legislature (House of Representatives and Senate) as well as the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer and Secretary of State. It is the only state capitol with five domes and is one of 10 state capitols with a golden dome (gilded as it is to a thickness of 1/250,000 of an inch.)
The 2023 session of the house ended , so there was no activity during our visit. Among the more controversial recent bills was one that prohibited gender affirming care/surgery for minors. (a common type of legislation that has been gaining traction in many red states). The other had to do with extending work hours and eligibility for teenage workers.
The state house contains several exhibits, one of which is a scale model of the USS Iowa battleship. The Iowa escaped the tragedy of Pearl Harbour as it was stationed in the Atlantic, conveying President Roosevelt to the conference in Tehran in 1943. It eventually returned to the Pacific theater in 1944.
Security is in evidence in the Capitol. Metal detectors are located at each entrance. Visitors have to remove metal objects and place them in trays that are x-rayed, before passing through the detectors. However, if one has a ‘concealed carry’ permit, they can keep their weapon with them. This policy was confirmed by the local security guard (who was a retired State Trooper). Needless to say, he was probably carrying himself.