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The term rotunda comes from the Italian language, and means round. While this rotunda is square in shape, its purpose is the same as the round central spaces found in many county courthouses – to inspire.

Gibbs designed Eaton County’s rotunda to draw your eye immediately upward to the light streaming down from above. The great height of the ceiling and the light that streams from it reminds us of the higher goals of civilization – to reach our limitless potential that beckons from beyond.

One way to inspire Eaton County citizens to think about that potential was to remind them visually of the ideals held by American society. The large walls of the rotunda originally contained beautiful murals of four muses that celebrated the accomplishments of industry, agriculture, science, and art. Americans tried hard to ensure their continued prosperity, and they believed these four fields to be vital for their success.

Muses are an ancient Greek tradition. The word muse means a guiding spirit, or a source of inspiration. How appropriate, then, to place such inspirational figures in such an inspirational space. While the original muses are no longer here to remind us of our accomplishments and goals, the space in which they were once located still draws our eyes upward, reminding us of our limitless dreams and potential.