My Capitol 

Discover Historic Treasures in Exhibition Hall and Explore the U.S. Capitol Grounds

A GUIDE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, GRADES 6 AND UP
2

For Teachers and Parents

Designed for children ages 11 and older, this guide 

is intended as a self-guided tour of Exhibition Hall 

and the Capitol Grounds. For each of the numbered 

stops, this guide provides historical background, 

directed-looking activities, and questions to encourage 

discussion during the tour or for follow-up at school 

or home. You will find the answers to all of the 

questions beginning on page 25.

If your group is larger than 20 students, we suggest 

dividing it into smaller groups and staggering where 

each group begins its tour. 

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

• Exhibition Hall, located in the Visitor Center, 

begins on page 3. 

• The U.S. Capitol Grounds, outside of the 

building, begins on page 19. 

For each tour, you will find a map with numbered 

stops. At each stop . . .

• Read the background information in the guide. 

• Use the questions and activities to help you 

focus your looking, learning and thinking. You 

will find the answers to all of the questions 

beginning on page 25.

• Talk with your group about what you see 

and learn. 

• Take notes to refresh your memory. Use the 

blank spaces on pages 18 and 23. 

• Have fun. The United States Capitol

Visitors view a scale model of the Capitol and Grounds in Exhibition Hall.

2
PART I

U.S. CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER 

EXHIBITION HALL

The exhibition is titled E Pluribus Unum—Out of Many, 

One. It tells the story of Congress, the branch of 

government that makes the nation’s laws. It also tells 

the story of the Capitol, the home of Congress since 

1800. The Capitol is the world’s most recognized 

symbol of democratic government. 

The exhibition displays some of America’s most 

treasured documents, objects and images. Together 

they illustrate how Congress works and how Congress 

and the Capitol have changed and grown along with 

the nation. 

Before you begin your journey, you should know:

• No photographs. This helps preserve 

the documents in the exhibition.

• Stay with your teacher or chaperones 

at all times.

• Don’t lean on the walls and cases.

• You may touch the model of the 

Capitol Dome and the architectural 

elements located near the interactive 

stations (see map on page 4). 

Enjoy the exhibition!

A CLOSER LOOK

Where have you seen the words 

E Pluribus Unum before? These words are 

Latin for “Out of Many, One” and form the 

motto that appears on the Great Seal of the 

United States. The seal—first used in 1782— 

reflects the ideals the Founding Fathers held 

for the new nation.

Think about what E Pluribus Unum means to you. 

Search for the Great Seal throughout the exhibition. 

See how many you find. 

3
Map of Exhibition Hall

Your tour of E Pluribus Unum—Out of Many, One 

begins with the model for the Statue of Freedom at 

the entrance to Exhibition Hall. Once you are inside 

the exhibition, look at the map and the legend on the 

opposite page. 

Stops 4-17 tell the history of Congress and the Capitol 

during a particular time period. Each stop includes:

1 Plaster Model for the Statue 

of Freedom

2 The Dome: An Architectural

Masterpiece

3 Inside the Dome: An Artistic 

Masterpiece 

4 A Home for Congress

5 The Senate Sets Up Shop

6 The House Sets Up Shop 

7 Senate Chamber Desks 

8 House Chamber Desks and Chairs

9 First Full-Term African 

American Senator: Blanche Bruce

10 First African American 

Representative: Joseph Rainey

11 Challenges of a Growing Nation

12 First Woman Elected to the Senate: 

Hattie Caraway

13 First Woman Elected to the House: 

Jeannette Rankin

14 First Woman Elected to the 

House and the Senate: Margaret 

Chase Smith

15 First Asian American Woman 

Elected to Congress: Patsy Mink

16 First African American Woman 

from the South in Congress: 

Barbara Jordan

17 Civil Rights for All Americans 

18 The Constitution and Congress

19 Working at the Capitol

i Interactive Stations

1

3

2

i

18

i

4

6 5

13 7 17 12 10 9 8 11

Stops

14

19

15

16

A scale model of 

the Capitol and 

Grounds that shows 

their expansion and 

architectural history.

A large wall of photographs 

and objects related to 

major events that prompted 

Congress to act.

A video screen in the 

wall that highlights 

important legislation 

passed by Congress.

Two large exhibit cases on either side of 

the large wall. The case on the left is about 

the Senate.

The case on the right is about the House of 

Representatives.

House Theater Senate Theater

4
STOP 1 

Plaster Model for the Statue of Freedom

This is a full-size plaster model for the bronze Statue 

of Freedom that is on top of the Capitol Dome. 

Designed by Thomas Crawford, the statue depicts a 

female figure representing freedom. In her right hand, 

Freedom holds a sword (a symbol of war). In her left 

hand she holds a wreath of laurel leaves (a symbol of 

peace) and a shield (a symbol of protection). Together, 

the symbols represent the ideal that freedom can 

triumph in both war and in peace. 

Making the Statue of Freedom 

• The sculptor, Thomas Crawford, created the plaster model in his studio 

in Rome, Italy.

• The model was shipped in six crates to a foundry (a factory for casting 

metal) near Washington, D.C.

• At the foundry, Clark Mills cast in bronze the five pieces that made up 

the statue. 

• Phillip Reid, an enslaved African American worker, assisted Clark Mills in 

casting the Statue of Freedom.

• Piece by piece, the statue was raised to the top of the Dome and 

assembled there.

• The last piece, the head, was bolted in place on December 2, 1863. Plaster model for the Statue of Freedom

Statue of Freedom on top 

of the U.S. Capitol Dome.

 A CLOSER LOOK

Find it. Where are the initials 

“U.S.” on the model for the Statue 

of Freedom? Also find a reference 

to the original 13 states. (Hint: Look 

for stars and stripes.) 

Look at it. What do you see on 

Freedom’s head? Why do you think 

the artist chose this symbol? (You 

may need to take a few steps back.) 

Think about it. Freedom is holding 

a sword and shield. In choosing 

these things, what was the 

sculptor saying about freedom?

Talk it over. Which elements of the 

statue symbolize freedom to you? If 

you were asked to design a statue 

about freedom, what symbols 

would you include?

5
Model of the U.S. Capitol 

Dome; cutaway model 

of the Dome.

Neoclassical Architecture

The Capitol is an example of the neoclassical (“new” classical) style of 

architecture. Neoclassical buildings were inspired by the architecture of 

ancient Greece and Rome. In addition to a dome, they are likely to have:

• Columns

• A crowning statue

• Many small windows

• Balustrades (repeating small posts

like a porch rail)

• Pilasters (flat columns)

STOP 2 

The Dome: An Architectural Masterpiece

The U.S. Capitol Dome may be America’s most famous 

landmark. Designed by Thomas U. Walter, a Philadelphia 

architect, it is the second dome that has crowned the Capitol. 

The proportions of the original dome became too small when the 

Capitol’s two wings were enlarged to accommodate more senators 

and representatives. 

Unlike the original wooden dome, the new dome was made of 

cast-iron, making it fireproof. By the time the Capitol Dome 

was completed in 1866, close to nine million pounds of iron had 

been lifted into place by steam-powered cranes. 

A CLOSER LOOK

Find the answer. How tall is the U.S. Capitol Dome? 

Look at it. The lights inside the model cycle on and off every two minutes. 

Look more closely at the top of the dome under the Statue of Freedom. 

Lanterns there light up at night when either the Senate or the House holds 

an evening session. 

Talk it over. What does your state capitol building look like? How is its 

architecture the same or different from that of the U.S. Capitol? 

Think about it. What other buildings have you seen that have a dome? 

What does a dome tell you about the building’s importance? See if you 

can name five other Washington, D.C., buildings or monuments that 

have domes. Find the 

neoclassical features 

listed above on the 

scale model. It’s okay 

to touch it.

Construction of the Dome

Thomas U. Walter

6
STOP 3 

Inside the Dome: An Artistic Masterpiece

This side of the model shows the inside of the Capitol Dome. Look for the 

painting on the Dome’s ceiling. It is called The Apotheosis of Washington

and honors George Washington as a national hero. 

The Apotheosis was painted in 1865 by the Italian artist Constantino Brumidi 

and took him 11 months to complete. Brumidi moved to the United States 

in 1852 from Italy, where he had painted murals in the Vatican and in 

Roman palaces. 

How was The Apotheosis painted?

The Apotheosis is a fresco, which means “fresh” in Italian. A fresco is done 

by applying paint to wet plaster. Once dry, the painting becomes part of 

the wall. This painting technique was most popular during the Italian 

Renaissance. For example, Michelangelo used fresco to create the Vatican 

Sistine Chapel ceiling in the 1500s. 

What does the painting mean?

Look at the photograph of The Apotheosis of Washington on the wall to the left 

of the model.

“Apotheosis” means elevating a person to the rank of a god or the 

glorification of a person as an ideal. Brumidi combined Greek and 

Roman gods and goddesses with important Americans and American 

achievements to create an American work of art. The group of figures in 

the center of the painting includes George Washington. The groups that 

line the perimeter of the fresco represent six themes: 

1. War: Armed Freedom defeats Tyranny and the power of kings. 

2. Science: Minerva teaches Benjamin Franklin and other inventors.

3. Marine: Neptune and Venus hold a telegraph cable being laid under 

the Atlantic Ocean.

4. Commerce: Mercury hands money to Robert Morris, a financier 

of the American Revolution.

5. Mechanics: Vulcan forges a cannon and steam engine.

6. Agriculture: Ceres sits on a reaper invented by Cyrus McCormick 

to harvest grain.

A CLOSER LOOK

Look at the photograph of The Apotheosis of Washington and . . .

• Find George Washington. Notice the 13 women that surround him. What do you think the 

women symbolize? (Hint: Why is the number 13 important in American history?) 

• Look for the rainbow that arches beneath President Washington’s feet. Why do you think 

the artist included a rainbow?

• Find the “Science” group. Benjamin Franklin is standing to the right of Minerva, the 

Roman goddess of science. What did Franklin invent? 

• Find the “War” group. The central figure represents Freedom. Name the elements that 

resemble those you saw in the model of the Statue of Freedom in Stop 1. 

• Think about it. What does The Apotheosis of Washington tell you about the way America 

wanted to present itself to the world in the 1850s? What themes would you pick to 

represent America today? 

The Apotheosis of Washington

7
STOP 4

A Home for Congress 

One of Congress’s first tasks was to find a home for the new 

United States government. In 1790, during its second session, 

Congress authorized a 10-mile-square area on the Potomac 

River that included land in Maryland and Virginia as the 

nation’s capital. The site, which was selected by President 

George Washington, was called “The Federal City.” From the 

start, however, Thomas Jefferson referred to it as “Washington.” 

Test your history and geography. 

Name the 13 original states from north to south. Where was 

Washington, D.C., located in relationship to the states? 

Why do you think that location was chosen?

A Design for the Capitol

In 1792, Secretary of State Thomas 

Jefferson proposed that a design contest 

be held for the new Capitol. None of the 

entries pleased President Washington, 

so no prizes were awarded. 

In 1793, however, after the competition 

had closed, Dr. William Thornton, a 

physician and amateur architect, 

presented a plan. His design had the 

classical elegance and grand scale that 

Washington wanted, and Thornton 

became the architect of the new Capitol.

A CLOSER LOOK

Think about it. The Constitution calls for Congress to have 

two legislative bodies: the House of Representatives and 

the Senate. How does Dr. Thornton’s design for the Capitol 

reflect that? 

Look at the model of the Capitol (1814). Two wings of the 

Capitol had been completed. No dome had been built—only a 

temporary connection between the wings. 

Notice the area around the Capitol. Would you call it urban or 

rural? How does it differ from today? 

Left to right: Dr. William Thornton; model of Capitol Grounds in 1814 

Below: Thornton’s winning design of the Capitol

8
STOP 5 

The Senate Sets Up Shop 

With 22 members attending, the Senate began its 

first session on April 6, 1789, in New York City. Two 

days later, the members elected a Secretary of the 

Senate, who was responsible for keeping a journal 

of day-to-day activities. He also bought supplies, 

managed payrolls and paid bills. 

For Congress’ first 125 years, U.S. senators were 

elected by state legislatures, which often sent the 

senators instructions on how to vote. 

A CLOSER LOOK

Look in the case for it. The Journal of the First Session of 

the Senate shows 19 rules that the Senate adopted for 

conducting business. 

Also locate the Senate Payment Ledger. This volume 

records the payments made to senators for their salaries 

and travel expenses. 

Think about it. Why did the authors of the Constitution 

want senators to be chosen by state legislatures? 

How do we select senators today? Why do 

you think the law was changed? 

Check it out online. The Senate still 

keeps a record of its daily activities. 

Go to www.senate.gov and click 

on “Daily Digest” to see the most 

recent entries. 

Find this column capital. 

What makes it unusual? 

Stumped? Read the exhibit label 

to find out. 

Pages from the 

Journal of the First 

Session of the Senate.

Corn cob 

column capital

9
STOP 6 

The House Sets Up Shop 

During its first session in 1789, the House of 

Representatives established the way it would carry out its 

business. It looked to Britain’s House of Commons for 

ideas. For example, the Speaker of the House would be 

responsible for presiding over debates and maintaining 

order. Basic rules of parliamentary procedure were 

adopted from the House of Commons as well. 

The House also began the process of adding 

amendments to the new Constitution. Why? Because 

the Constitution said nothing about protecting the 

freedom of speech, freedom of religion or other 

individual rights. From amendments proposed by the 

House of Representatives, the Senate approved 12 that 

were sent to the states to be ratified. The states agreed 

to 10 of the amendments—known today as the Bill of 

Rights. Name three of the rights.

Left: Bill of Rights 

Below: Bronze inkstand, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum 

of American History, Behring Center 

A CLOSER LOOK

Find this inkstand. Henry Clay used this bronze inkstand to hold the 

writing implements he used while he was Speaker of the House. Clay 

served as Speaker longer than anyone else in the 1800s. 

Look for two versions of the Bill of Rights. Which version was sent to the 

states to be ratified? What two amendments were not ratified?

Think about it. Why do you think the First Congress was concerned about 

individual rights?

10
Senate chamber desk

STOP 8 

House Chamber Desks and Chairs

After the British burned the Capitol in 1814, the House Chamber 

was rebuilt and needed furniture. The House ordered 188 desks 

and chairs from Thomas Constantine, a cabinetmaker from New 

York. These desks and chairs, however, were removed in 1857. 

As the nation expanded westward and the population grew, the 

number of House members increased. Seating in the House 

Chamber was redesigned. Continuous rows of seats replaced 

individual desks and chairs.

A CLOSER LOOK

Pop quiz. What determines the number of representatives from each state? 

What is the length of a representative’s term? How does that compare with 

a senator’s term? 

Do the math. By law, no more than 535 members may serve in Congress. 

If there are 100 senators, how many representatives currently serve in 

Congress? Name your congressional district’s representative. (Don’t know? Go 

to the interactive computer area—“Your Congress/Your Capitol”—to find out.) 

STOP 7 

Senate Chamber Desks 

In 1819, the Senate ordered 48 desks to replace those destroyed 

when the British burned the Capitol during the War of 1812. 

Made by Thomas Constantine, each desk cost $34. 

Today, all of the desks remain in use. As the Senate has grown 

in size, desks similar to Constantine’s design have been added 

to the Senate Chamber. It’s a tradition among senators today to 

sign their names inside the drawer of their chamber desks.

A CLOSER LOOK

Pop quiz. How many senators serve in Congress today? How many 

senators represent each state? What is the length of a senator’s term? 

Are all senators elected at the same time?

Think about it. Why don’t residents of the District of Columbia and 

U.S. territories have representation in the Senate?

House chamber chair and desk 

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. 

Frank E. Miller in 

memory of Nellie 

Holmead Fowler.

11
FIRST AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CONGRESS

After the Civil War, three amendments were added 

to the Constitution that addressed slavery and 

civil rights. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished 

slavery in 1865. The Fourteenth Amendment, 

ratified in 1868, provided citizenship rights to the 

newly-freed slaves. And in 1870, the Fifteenth 

Amendment granted voting rights to black men. 

In addition, African Americans could be elected 

to Congress. From 1863-1877 (the period called 

Reconstruction), 14 African American men held 

House seats and two served in the Senate. 

STOP 9 

First Full-Term African American Senator:

Blanche Bruce, Mississippi

Blanche Bruce was the first African American elected 

to serve a full term in the Senate. He was also the first 

African American to preside over the Senate in its 

practice of rotating Presiding Officers. Born as a slave 

in Virginia, Bruce fled north to freedom during the 

Civil War. Following emancipation, he pursued a career 

in education and politics in Missouri and Mississippi.

A CLOSER LOOK

Look for Senator Bruce’s certificate of election issued by the 

state of Mississippi.

Certificate of Election for Blanche Bruce; 1875 Portrait of Blanche Bruce

12
STOP 10 

First African American Representative:

Joseph Rainey, South Carolina

A slave in his youth, Joseph Rainey was the 

first African American to serve in the House of 

Representatives. In 1874, he became the first 

black American to preside over the House. During 

Reconstruction, 14 African Americans held House seats. 

STOP 11 

Challenges of a Growing Nation

After the Civil War, farms and small towns gave way to factories 

and cities. Many factory workers were new immigrants and 

children. Long hours, dangerous job conditions and low pay 

challenged Congress to find ways to improve workers’ lives, 

especially those of children. 

The photographer, Lewis Hine, played a major role in 

convincing members of Congress that they needed to act 

to protect children from poor working conditions and abuse. 

Hine traveled the country documenting child labor.

Look at the model of 

the Capitol (1913). What 

changes do you see that 

tell you that congressional 

membership had increased? 

What changes do you see 

to the Capitol Grounds?

A CLOSER LOOK

Look for the marble. Representative Rainey would have picked 

a numbered marble like this one to find his seat assignment. 

We don’t know which number he pulled, but he sat with 

members of his party. Seating on the floor of Congress was 

not segregated by race. However, visitors in the galleries were 

segregated by race and gender. 

Find out more. Research how seating is decided in the House 

of Representatives today. 

Look at the model of the Capitol (1877). The cast-iron dome is 

in place, and new wings flank the original building. Compare 

this model to the one in Stop 4. 

A CLOSER LOOK

Look for photos of child laborers. What jobs are the children doing?

Talk about it. How would your life be affected if you had to work a 12-hour day 

in a factory or on a farm?

Research it. When you return to school, look up the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. 

How does this law and others like it protect your life?

13
Above: Smith’s campaign buttons 

Right: Margaret Chase Smith 

FIRST WOMEN IN CONGRESS 

Before 1917, no women served in 

Congress. As of the 112th Congress, 

274 have served as women’s service 

continues. A significant number have 

held leadership positions, including 

Speaker of the House.

STOP 12

First Woman Elected to the Senate: 

Hattie Caraway, Arkansas

Hattie Caraway was the first woman 

elected to the Senate. She had been 

appointed to her husband’s seat after he died 

in 1931. To everyone’s surprise, however, she 

won a special election and then a general 

election in 1932. She was also the first 

woman to chair a Senate committee and to 

preside over the Senate. 

STOP 14 

First Woman Elected to 

the House and the Senate: 

Margaret Chase Smith, Maine

Margaret Chase Smith was the 

first woman elected to both the House 

(1940-1949) and the Senate (1949-1973). 

Smith broke down many barriers to women 

in politics. For example, she served on the 

Senate Armed Services Committee and was 

a presidential candidate in 1964. 

STOP 13

First Woman Elected to the House: 

Jeannette Rankin, Montana

Jeannette Rankin was the first woman 

to be elected to Congress—four years 

before the Constitution gave women the 

right to vote. Rankin served in the House 

of Representatives from 1917-19 and 

1941-43. She was one of the few suffragists 

(campaigners for women’s right to vote) 

to serve in Congress. Also, she was the sole 

member of Congress to vote against U.S. 

participation in both World War I and World War 

II. She said, “I may be the first woman member of 

Congress, but I won’t be the last.” 

A CLOSER LOOK

Find the gavel used during the House vote that declared war 

against Germany and Italy in 1941. 

Figure it out. The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, 

which guarantees women the right to vote, was ratified in 

1920. How was it possible for Jeannette Rankin to be elected 

to Congress in 1916? (Hint: In 1914, women residing in Montana 

were granted the right to vote in national elections.) 

Smith’s 

campaign 

button

Jeannette Rankin

Hattie Caraway 

14
MINORITY WOMEN IN CONGRESS

STOP 15 

First Asian American Woman Elected to 

Congress: Patsy Mink, Hawaii

Patsy Mink was the first Asian American woman to be elected 

to Congress, winning a seat in the House of Representatives 

in 1964. In Congress, she strongly advocated for women’s 

issues and rights. Among her achievements, she gained critical 

support for Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. This 

legislation barred discrimination against women in schools 

receiving federal funds. It also opened up opportunities for 

women in school athletics. 

STOP 16 

First African American Woman from the South in 

Congress: Barbara Jordan, Texas

Elected in 1972, Barbara Jordan was the first African 

American to represent Texas in Congress and the first African 

American woman from a Southern state to serve in the House. 

While in Congress, Jordan’s assignments included membership 

on the influential Judiciary Committee, which held President 

Nixon’s impeachment hearings in 1974.

A CLOSER LOOK

Talk about it. How have women serving in the House and the Senate 

affected American society? 

Do you know? Does your state have any women members in Congress? 

If so, name them.

STOP 17 

Civil Rights for All Americans

In the 1960s, Congress passed two important pieces 

of legislation—the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 

Voting Rights Act of 1965. The first bill ensured that 

all Americans have the right to go to any hotel, restaurant, 

theater, store or other place open to the public. The second 

bill prevented any state from discriminating against voters 

because of their race or color. These two landmark bills 

were proposed to Congress by President John F. Kennedy, 

but neither one passed before his assassination in 1963. In 

1964, Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois, an influential 

debater, declared that racial integration was “an idea whose 

time has come.” A Republican, Dirksen joined Democrats 

to end the filibuster against the Civil Rights Act. 

A CLOSER LOOK

Look for a pen and a desk. What do they have to do with the 

Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Talk about it. Why was passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 so 

important? What role did citizen action play in passing the act?

Above: Patsy Mink; Barbara Jordan Below: President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act, 1965

15
STOP 18 

The Constitution and Congress 

The Constitution is the supreme law of the United 

States and is the oldest written constitution of any 

of the world’s nations. Framed by a convention 

of delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, the 

Constitution establishes three branches of government: 

Legislative, Executive and Judicial. The legislative 

branch, or Congress, is the foundation of the 

democratic framework put forth by the Constitution. 

In Congress, the American people speak through their 

representatives and senators. 

 A CLOSER LOOK

Look in the case and find the Constitution. The one displayed 

here is a reproduction of the original as it was written in 1787 

(the original is in the National Archives).

Now take a step back to get a better look. How many 

pages does the Constitution contain? Are you surprised? 

How many articles does it include? Which one is the 

longest? Which of the three branches of government 

does that article establish? 

Look more closely at the label titled “The House and 

Senate.” Read it and assign the following responsibilities to 

the House (H), the Senate (S) or both (B). 

• Initiates all laws concerning the raising of money by the 

federal government.

• Approves all treaties.

• Declares all wars.

• Approves all presidential nominations.

• Initiates the removal of federal officials suspected of “high crimes 

and misdemeanors.”

• Makes all laws.

Think about it. Bills that impose federal taxes must originate in the House. 

Why do you think the authors of the Constitution chose the House instead 

of the Senate? (Hint: How were senators and representatives chosen when 

the Constitution was written?)

Investigate it later. Identify a bill that is currently being debated in 

Congress. Find out if Congress would need to raise additional money 

(revenues) if the bill is passed into law.

True or False? Any U.S. citizen can introduce a bill into Congress. 

For more “Capitol Challenges” go to www.visitthecapitol.gov/Exhibitions/

online/explore-and-discover.html. 

Close-up of the Constitution’s Preamble 

Wall engraving in 

Exhibition Hall 

16
STOP 19

Working at the Capitol 

Have you wondered what it takes to keep the Capitol and 

Congress working smoothly? Look at the photographs—from 

past and present—of the many people and professions working 

behind the scenes.

A CLOSER LOOK

Talk about it. How many jobs can you identify? 

Below: Grounds crew planting flowers; Capitol guide in 1949; Electromotive mechanic 

working on the Senate subway; Officers of the Senate and House expedite the 

legislative process; Conservator restoring a Brumidi Corridor mural

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

Check out the Senate and the House of Representatives Theaters. 

The television monitors to the right and left of the movie screens show 

what is happening on the floor of the House and the Senate whenever 

that Chamber is in session. 

Test your knowledge about Congress and the Capitol. Go to one of 

the interactive computer stations in the “Your Congress/Your Capitol” 

section of the Exhibition Hall. While you are there, also take a virtual 

tour of some of the rooms in the Capitol closed to visitors. 

17
NOTES: PART I 

18
PART II 

EXPLORE THE U.S. CAPITOL GROUNDS

Like a painting in a frame, a grand building deserves 

a grand setting. The U.S. Capitol Grounds do just 

that. The Capitol’s landscape plan was designed by 

Frederick Law Olmsted. Often called the father 

of American landscape architecture, Olmsted also 

designed New York City’s Central Park and the 

National Zoo in Washington, D.C. 

Olmsted believed that city dwellers needed public 

parks in which to relax and enjoy nature. The Capitol 

Grounds’ open spaces and 

curving walkways contrast with the 

straight, formal lines of the building. 

Groupings of trees and shrubs frame 

different views of the Capitol, which create 

opportunities for great photos. 

Photos left to right: The U.S. Capitol; Frederick Law Olmsted

19
2

5

6

7

3

1 United States Capitol Visitor Center

2 Trolley Stop Shelters 

3 Summerhouse

4 Commemorative Trees*

5 West Front Lawn

6 Peace Monument

7 United States Botanic Garden

Map of the Capitol Grounds

Begin your tour anywhere on this map. As you follow 

the walkways, take advantage of the many scenic views 

of the Capitol. 

1

4

* Commemorative trees 

are located throughout 

the grounds

20
STOP 1

The United States Capitol 

The U.S. Capitol is recognized worldwide as a monument to the 

American people and their government. The Capitol with its magnificent 

dome has become a landmark of neoclassical architecture—a style inspired 

by the buildings of ancient Greece and Rome. 

The U.S. Capitol has been the home of Congress since 1800. The 

Senate meets in the wing to the north, and the House meets in the wing 

to the south. When the flag is flying above a wing, it means the legislative 

body that meets there is in session. Since the Capitol’s construction began in 

1793, the building has changed many times. Its newest addition, the Capitol 

Visitor Center, opened in 2008.

STOP 2

Trolley Stop Shelters 

Stand under the trolley stop shelter and imagine yourself 

waiting for a trolley while enjoying magnificent views of the 

Capitol. This wrought iron shelter is one of two built for 

visitors who waited for trolleys that once stopped at the Capitol. 

Trolley tracks used to run through the Capitol Grounds from 

Independence Avenue. The trolleys carried visitors to the Capitol 

as well as to other places in the city like the Treasury Department, 

the State Department, and Union Station. 

THINK ABOUT IT. What features of the Capitol’s 

architecture resemble buildings from ancient 

Greece and Rome? Why do you think those 

buildings appealed to the Founding Fathers?

STOP 3

Summerhouse

Olmsted designed the Summerhouse as a place to escape Washington’s 

hot summer sun and to enjoy views of the Capitol. Sit on one of the 

shaded benches, relax and examine the architectural details that surround 

you. Above one of the benches a window looks into a small grotto, or 

cave. Listen to the water as it splashes over the rocks. The fountain in the 

center of the grotto once provided drinking water pumped from a spring. 

Now the fountain is only for display. 

LOOK MORE CLOSELY. What patterns do you see on the walls 

of the Summerhouse?

21
STOP 4

Commemorative Trees

Many of the trees on the Capitol Grounds 

were planted to commemorate or honor 

members of Congress, other notable citizens, 

national organizations and historic events. 

In addition, more than 30 states have 

presented gifts of their state tree to the 

Capitol Grounds. Many of the trees bear 

plaques that identify the species of the tree 

and its historic significance. 

STOP 5

West Front Lawn 

This area creates a formal 

setting for the Capitol’s 

West Front, the side of 

the building that faces the 

National Mall. Beginning with 

the inauguration of Ronald Reagan in 

1981, presidential inaugurations have 

been held on the marble terrace named for 

Frederick Law Olmsted. Surrounding the 

lower part of the West Front lawn are stone 

walls, lamp posts and fountains with carvings 

inspired by nature. 

STOP 6 

The Peace Monument 

The Peace Monument honors sailors who died at sea during 

the Civil War. The marble monument is topped with two female 

figures wearing classical robes. They symbolize Grief and History. 

Below them, two other female figures represent Victory and 

Peace. The two infants at the foot of Victory depict Mars, the 

Roman god of war with his sword, and Neptune, the Roman god 

of the sea with his trident. 

TALK ABOUT IT. How can you tell which figure symbolizes 

Grief, History, Victory and Peace?

STOP 7

United States Botanic Garden

The U.S. Botanic Garden is the oldest such 

garden in the nation. The idea dates to our earliest 

presidents—Washington, Madison and Jefferson. 

They wanted a National Garden to collect, grow 

and distribute plants useful to the American people. The 

Botanic Garden has been open to the public since 1850 

and moved into its current building in 1933. Some of the 

first plants in the collection came from the United States 

Exploring Expedition of 1842, which brought plants from 

around the world to Washington, D.C.

The Botanic Garden—constructed from glass, 

aluminum and stone—includes a series of greenhouses 

such as the Jungle House, Garden Court and 

Orchid House. A four-year renovation of the 

building was completed in 2001.

SEARCH. See how 

many commemorative 

trees and plaques you 

can find. Is there a tree 

from your state? 

THINK ABOUT IT. 

Stand back and look at 

the Capitol and the West 

Front lawn. If you were 

a landscape architect, 

what would you change 

or add to the landscape 

design. Why?

22
NOTES: PART II

23
KEY TERMS 

Architecture: The practice or art of designing and building structures. 

The common elements of design form an architectural style.

Bill of Rights: A summary of a people’s fundamental rights and 

privileges that cannot be violated by a government. The first ten 

amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. 

Congress: The legislative branch of the United States made up of the 

Senate and the House of Representatives. 

Constitution: The basic principles and laws that determine the powers 

and duties of a nation, state or organization. A constitution can also 

grant certain rights and privileges to its citizens or members. The U.S. 

Constitution was written in 1787 and ratified (approved) by the states in 

1788. It went into effect on March 4, 1789.

Democracy: A system of government in which the supreme power is 

vested in the people, who can exercise their power directly or indirectly 

through elected representatives. 

District of Columbia: The city created by the U.S. Constitution to 

serve as the nation’s capital. The original site, chosen by President George 

Washington, was on land provided by Maryland and Virginia. The 

District of Columbia is not a state but a unique federal district under the 

jurisdiction of Congress. 

The House of Representatives: One of the two bodies of the 

legislative branch in which a state’s population determines its number 

of representatives.

Legislative Branch: The branch of the U.S. government that has the 

power of legislating, or making laws.

The Senate: One of the two bodies of the legislative branch in which 

each state has two senators, ensuring equal representation among the states. 

RESOURCES

For more information about what you have seen in Exhibition Hall and 

about Congress and the Capitol, check out the following websites: 

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center: www.visitthecapitol.gov

The Architect of the Capitol: www.aoc.gov

The House of Representatives: http://artandhistory.house.gov

The Senate: www.senate.gov

Recommended Readings:

Aikman, Lonnelle. We, the People: Story of the United States Capitol. Washington, 

D.C.: United States Capitol Historical Society, 1993.

Allen, William. History of the United States Capitol: A Chronicle of Design, 

Construction, and Politics. Washington, D.C.: Prepared under the direction of 

the Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Government Printing Office, 2001. 

Baker, Richard Allan. The Senate of the United States: A Bicentennial History. 

Malabar, Florida: Kriege Publishing Company, 1988.

Currie, James T. The United States House of Representatives. Malabar, Florida: 

Kriege Publishing Company, 1988.

Greenburg, Ellen. The House and the Senate Explained: The People’s Guide 

to Congress. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1996.

Remini, Robert. The House: The History of the House of Representatives. 

New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. 

Photo Credits:

All photographs courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol except as noted below.

Cover: Maryland Chemical Works, Baltimore, Maryland Historical Society

Cover: Courtesy of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University

Page 13: Portrait of Joseph Rainey, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

Page 13: Child labor images by Lewis Hine, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

Page 14: Smith’s campaign buttons, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, 

Behring Center

Page 14: Jeannette Rankin, ©Bettmann /CORBIS

Page 15: Barbara Jordan, Reprinted with permission of the DC Public Library, Star Collection, 

© Washington Post 

Page 15: President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act, 1965, © AP/WIDE WORLD

Page 19: Frederick Law Olmsted, National Park Service

24
ANSWER KEY 

My Capitol Part 1: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Exhibition Hall

PAGE 3: 

In how many places in Exhibition Hall can you find the Great Seal of the United States? 

Answer: The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain 

documents produced by the federal government. Features of this seal served as 

models for the designs of the U.S. Senate Seal and the Presidential Seal, which 

are used for the same purpose — to authenticate important documents. The U.S. 

Senate Seal appears three times in Exhibition Hall — on the wall near the model 

of the Capitol Dome, near the reproduction of the U.S. Constitution at the south 

end of Exhibition Hall, and in the Senate theater. 

PAGE 5/STOP 1: Plaster Model for the Statue of Freedom

Where are the initials “U.S.” on the model for the Statue of Freedom?

Answer: The initials are found on the brooch that secures the statue’s dress. 

Where is the reference to the original states on the model?

Answer: There are 13 stars and 13 stripes on the shield representing the 

original 13 states.

What do you see on Freedom’s head?

Answer: There is a helmet on Freedom’s head that is encircled by stars and 

features a crest composed of an eagle’s head, feathers, and talons, a reference to 

the costume of Native Americans.

Why do you think the artist chose this symbol? 

Answer: The artist integrated symbols of the United States of America and freedom 

throughout the design of the statue. For the helmet, he chose the eagle, which 

represents national pride, unity, and the strength of the nation.

In choosing these items, what was the sculptor saying about freedom?

Answer: Citizens must always be prepared to defend this country’s freedom 

and democracy. 

PAGE 6/STOP 2: The Dome: An Architectural Masterpiece

How tall is the U.S. Capitol Dome?

Answer: The dome is 288 feet tall. That is almost the length of a football field. 

Name five other Washington, D.C. buildings or monuments that have domes.

Answer: Five other buildings or monuments in Washington, D.C. with domes are: 

the Library of Congress, the National Gallery of Art West Building, the Smithsonian 

Institution’s Natural History Museum, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Basilica 

of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 

PAGE 7 /STOP 3: Inside the Dome: An Artistic Masterpiece

In The Apotheosis of Washington, what do you think the 13 women that 

surround George Washington symbolize? Why is the number 13 important 

to American history?

Answer: The 13 women represent the 13 original American colonies. That is why 

the number 13 is important to American history. 

Why do you think the artist included a rainbow?

Answer: The rainbow is a symbol of hope and promise. 

Benjamin Franklin is standing to the right of Minerva, the Roman goddess of 

science. What did Franklin invent?

Answer: Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod, a metal-lined stove that was 

named after him (the “Franklin” stove), bifocal eyeglasses, and a simple odometer 

for measuring distance.

The central figure in the “War” group represents Freedom. Name the elements that 

resemble those you saw in the model of the Statue of Freedom in Stop 1.

Answer: Those elements are the sword, shield, and a helmet encircled by stars 

with an eagle on top.

What does The Apotheosis of Washington tell you about the way America 

wanted to present itself to the world in the 1850s? 

Answer: The goal was to impress foreign visitors who came to the U.S. Capitol, to 

illustrate the importance of democracy, and to show the creativity and ingenuity of the 

American people.

25
ANSWER KEY (continued)

PAGE 8 /STOP 4: A Home for Congress

Name the 13 original states from north to south. Where was Washington, 

D.C. located in relationship to the states? Why do you think that location 

was chosen?

Answer: The 13 original states were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 

Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 

North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The location for Washington, D.C. was 

chosen because it was situated at the approximate mid-point between the northern 

and southern states. This location made traveling to the Capitol manageable for 

most members of Congress. 

How does Dr. Thornton’s design for the Capitol reflect the two legislative bodies: 

the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Answer: Dr. Thornton’s design of the Capitol included two wings housing the House 

chamber and the Senate chamber that were joined by a dome and rotunda. 

PAGE 9 /STOP 5: The Senate Sets Up Shop

Why did the authors of the Constitution want senators to be chosen by 

state legislatures?

Answer: The authors of the Constitution believed that if each state selected its own 

senators, state legislatures would strengthen their ties with the federal government 

and thus strengthen the chances for ratifying the Constitution.

How do we select senators today?

Answer: Since 1913, senators have been elected by popular vote.

Why do you think the law was changed?

Answer: For Congress’ first 125 years, state legislatures elected senators. Often 

they chose senators who agreed with them on issues likely to come before 

Congress. Political party conflicts in some states resulted in no one being selected; 

having vacant Senate seats disrupted work. In addition, some state legislators used 

intimidation and bribery in choosing senators. To resolve these concerns, the 17th 

Amendment was passed stating that senators would be elected by popular vote.

What makes the corn cob column capital unusual? 

Answer: The column depicts a native American plant. When this column and others 

like it were installed, they were greatly admired by members of Congress and 

visitors to the Capitol.

PAGE 10/STOP 6: The House Sets Up Shop

There were two versions of the Bill of Rights. Which version was sent to the 

states to be ratified?

Answer: The second version with 12 amendments was sent to the states to be 

ratified. The first version included 17 amendments. 

What two amendments were not ratified?

Answer: The two amendments not ratified concerned the number of constituents for 

each representative and compensation for members of Congress.

Why do you think the First Congress was concerned about individual rights?

Answer: Individual rights were not considered when the Constitution was written, 

and the founders soon realized that they needed to set limits on government action 

in regard to personal rights. There needed to be guarantees of essential rights and 

liberties. Several state legislatures insisted on a promise of amendments before 

they would ratify the Constitution. The drafting of the Bill of Rights soon followed 

the ratification of the Constitution.

PAGE 11 /STOP 7: Senate Chamber Desks

How many senators serve in Congress today?

Answer: One hundred senators serve in Congress today. 

How many senators represent each state? 

Answer: Two senators represent each state. 

What is the length of a senator’s term?

Answer: A senator’s term is six years. 

Are all senators elected at the same time?

Answer: Senators’ terms are staggered so that one-third of the Senate is elected 

every two years.

Why don’t residents of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories have 

representation in the Senate?

Answer: The District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) and U.S. territories are not 

states. The Constitution only provides representation in the Senate for states. 

26
ANSWER KEY (continued)

PAGE 11 /STOP 8: House Chamber Desks and Chairs

What determines the number of representatives from each state?

Answer: The number of representatives from each state is based on population. 

Every ten years, a census is conducted to determine the number of people in each 

state. Today, 435 representatives represent over 300 million American citizens. 

This means that on average, a representative serves a constituency of more than 

700,000 people. 

What is the length of a representative’s term?

Answer: A representative’s term is two years.

How does that compare with a senator’s term?

Answer: A representative’s term is four years shorter than a senator’s. 

How many representatives currently serve in Congress?

Answer: The number of voting representatives in the House of Representatives 

is fixed by law at no more than 435. Currently, there are also five delegates 

representing the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 

and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. A resident commissioner 

represents Puerto Rico.

PAGE 13 /STOP 10: First African American Representative: Joseph Rainey, 

South Carolina

How is seating in the House of Representatives decided today?

Answer: Individual desks on the House chamber floor have been eliminated due to 

the number of representatives and limited space. Long benches have replaced the 

desks. Members of the House have no assigned seats but are by tradition divided 

by party. Members of the Democratic Party sit to the Speaker’s right, and members 

of the Republican Party sit to the Speaker’s left.

PAGE 13 /STOP 11: Challenges of a Growing Nation

What jobs are the children doing?

Answer: The children are working in the field picking cotton and resetting spools of 

thread in a textile factory.

Looking at the model of the Capitol (1913), what changes do you see that tell you 

that congressional membership had increased? What changes do you see to the 

Capitol Grounds?

Answer: By 1913, office buildings for members of Congress and staff had been 

built and Union Station had been constructed, making train travel convenient for 

members of Congress and visitors to the Capitol. The Library of Congress had been 

completed and landscaping had begun on the Capitol Grounds. 

PAGE 14 /STOP 13: First Woman Elected to the House: 

Jeannette Rankin, Montana

The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees women the 

right to vote, was ratified in 1920. How was it possible for Jeannette Rankin to 

be elected to Congress in 1916? (Hint: In 1914, women residing in Montana were 

granted the right to vote.)

Answer: By 1916, some western states, including Rankin’s home state of Montana, 

had already granted women the right to vote. Rankin was elected to the House 

of Representatives with the support of women voters in her home state. One of 

several issues that she wanted to focus on in Congress was full voting rights for all 

women nationally. 

PAGE 15 /STOP 17: Civil Rights for All Americans

What do the pen and desk have to do with the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Answer: President Johnson used the pen and desk (a replica) to sign this legislation 

into law, making illegal any tactics used by states to prevent minorities and other 

disadvantaged citizens from voting.

Why was passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 so important?

Answer: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against anyone 

based on gender, race, religion, national origin, disabilities, or age and required 

those states that were not honoring past civil rights laws to do so. 

What role did citizen action play in passing the act?

Answer: Citizen actions such as protests, petitions, marches, and sit-ins brought 

to the attention of Congress the injustices that people faced which prevented 

them from exercising their civil liberties that were protected by previouslypassed legislation. 

27
ANSWER KEY (continued)

PAGE 16 /STOP 18: The Constitution and Congress

How many pages does the Constitution contain? How many articles does it include? 

Which one is the longest? Which of the three branches of government does that 

article establish?

Answer: The Constitution has four handwritten pages. It contains seven articles. 

Article 1 is the longest article in the Constitution. Article 1 establishes the 

legislative branch of the federal government.

Assign the following responsibilities to the House (H), the Senate (S), 

or both (B). 

Answer: Initiates all laws concerning the raising of money by the 

federal government. (H)

Approves all treaties. (S)

Declares all wars. (B)

Approves all presidential nominations. (S)

Initiates the removal of federal officials suspected of “high crimes and 

misdemeanors.” (H)

Makes all laws. (B)

Why do you think the authors of the Constitution chose the House instead of the 

Senate to create bills that impose federal taxes?

Answer: The House is most connected to the people in hearing their concerns and 

opinions about government spending. 

True or False? Any U.S. citizen can introduce a bill into Congress.

Answer: False. Citizens may petition their representatives and ask them to enact 

a bill. But only an elected representative can introduce a bill for consideration. 

Laws begin as ideas. These ideas may come from a representative or senator or 

from a citizen. Citizens who have ideas for laws may contact their representative or 

senators to discuss their ideas. If the representative or senator agrees, the idea is 

researched and potentially introduced as legislation. 

PAGE 17/STOP 19: Working at the Capitol

How many jobs can you identify?

Answer: To learn about the numerous jobs at the U.S. Capitol, visit the Website 

for the Architect of the Capitol, www.aoc.gov, and discover occupations like 

horticulturist, electrician, curator, historian, architect, or mason. The Architect of 

the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds of the 

U.S. Capitol.

My Capitol Part 2: Explore the U.S. Capitol Grounds

PAGE 21 /STOP 1: United States Capitol

What features of the Capitol’s architecture resemble buildings from ancient 

Greece and Rome?

Answer: The architectural features of the U.S. Capitol that resemble structures in 

ancient Greece and Rome are the dome, rotunda, columns, pediments, windows, 

arches, tholos, and building materials like marble.

Why do you think those buildings appealed to the Founding Fathers?

Answer: The Founding Fathers were inspired and attracted to the grandeur 

and size of important structures. They also wanted to compete with European 

architectural structures.

In addition, they admired the architecture for its associations with the selfgoverning civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome.

PAGE 21 /STOP 3: Summerhouse

What patterns do you see on the walls of the Summerhouse?

Answer: The patterns that you see on the walls of the Summerhouse are geometric and 

artistic patterns forming shapes to create a “basket-weave” texture.

PAGE 22 /STOP 6: The Peace Monument

How can you tell which figure symbolizes Grief, History, Victory or Peace?

Answer: The figure that symbolizes Grief holds her covered face and weeps in 

mourning. The History figure holds a stylus (writing tool) and a tablet with the 

inscription, “They died that their country might live.” The Victory figure holds a 

laurel wreath and carries an oak branch, signifying strength. The figure symbolizing 

Peace faces the U.S. Capitol, holding an olive sprig.

28
CVC 13-107

The U.S. Capitol is open from 8:30 a.m. 

to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday. 

It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, 

Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, 

and Inauguration Day.

Twitter @visitthecapitol 

www.visitthecapitol.gov

We hope you enjoyed your visit 

to the Capitol. Come back to 

see us again soon or visit us at 

www.visitthecapitol.gov.