Capitol guard

Few people know that the Capitol once had two Civil War-era 10-pound Parrott rifles symbolically protecting the walkway that leads to the front entrance of the building. The cannons were used by the Loomis Battery, a group of volunteer soldiers from Coldwater who participated in several Civil War battles.

It is believed that the guns disappeared around 70 years ago, likely victims of a World War II scrap metal drive. But with the 150th anniversary of the end of Civil War earlier this year, Republican Sen. Michael Kowall and Democratic Sen. Steven Bieda thought the time was right to return the monuments to the Capitol lawn. The two worked together over the past two years to raise funds to bring a set of historically accurate replica cannons to the Capitol.

“Like all of America’s soldiers, Michigan’s Civil War soldiers gave up so much for our nation,” Bieda said. “This is our way of thanking them.”

Kowall learned about the missing cannons a few years ago and enlisted the help of Bieda to raise money to bring in the replica cannons. The duo raised $45,000 in private donations for the effort. No taxpayer dollars were spent.

“Like many in Michigan, I have a passion for our history,” Bieda said. “When I found out these original guns went missing, I immediately agreed to work with Sen. Kowall to bring Michigan’s history back to the Capitol’s front steps to bring that legacy to life.”

The cannon replicas, which have been in production for six months, will be completed and delivered to the State Capitol’s lawn before Saturday, and the public is invited to an unveiling ceremony that afternoon. The event will include Civil War re-enactors, firing of Civil War-era cannons and an original Loomis cannon on display.

“Michigan’s history is so important to Sen. Bieda and me, and this project allows us to remember our Civil War soldiers and commemorate their extraordinary efforts. It’s been a great and humbling experience for us,” Kowall said. “It’s amazing the horrors these brave men went through. Michigan made a commitment to remember them, and it’s time we honor them by restoring their history.”

Capitol cannons unveiling

Noon, Saturday, Aug. 8 FREE Capitol lawn, Lansing capitolcannons.com