Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusBuildings & GroundsLibrary of Congress Buildings
Thomas Jefferson Building
        
                  Buildings and grounds
  

        
              Library of Congress
                                        James Madison Building
                                                John Adams Building
                                                Thomas Jefferson Building
                                                Fort Meade
                                                Packard CampusThe Basics
      
Location
    10 First Street, SE,  Washington, DC 20540

                  View on Map
            
Date Occupied
    1900

AOC Jurisdiction
    Library Buildings and Grounds

Visiting Hours
    See loc.gov for visiting hours and information.The Library of Congress began in 1800 with a small appropriation to buy reference books.

Until the Thomas Jefferson Building opened in 1897, the Library of Congress was housed in the U.S. Capitol's west center building. When it opened in 1897, the new library was considered the most beautiful, educational and interesting building in Washington.

The Library of Congress began in 1800 with a small appropriation to buy reference books. Unlike Philadelphia or New York where Congress had previously met, there were no libraries in the infant city of Washington so one was created out of necessity. To replenish the collection that was destroyed by the British during the War of 1812, Congress purchased Thomas Jefferson's 6,487 volume library. From that time the congressional library has steadily grown into what is today the largest in the world.

Until 1897, the Library of Congress was housed in the U.S. Capitol's west center building. Despite enlargements and remodeling, there was never space enough to shelve the collections properly and it was decided in 1886 to move the library into its own building. The grand design of the library's Thomas Jefferson Building was based on the Paris Opera House and seemed to proclaim America's faith in learning and knowledge as vital strengths in upholding the republic.

Image
    "The Library of Congress in the Capitol, 1800-1897" by Allyn Cox

"The Library of Congress in the Capitol, 1800-1897" by Allyn CoxWith its synthesis of architecture, art, decoration and ambition, the Library of Congress's Jefferson Building ranks among America's greatest achievements. When it opened November 1, 1897, writers could not find enough ways to herald the new day they saw for American civilization. The grandeur of the building, its size and scope, the noble artwork and fascinating sculpture left many Americans breathless. Many saw the new building as the fulfillment of American intellectual promise and the perfection of American art. One said that it was "likely to long remain unrivaled in this or any other country," while another opined, "Not until I stand before the judgment seat of God do I ever expect to see this building transcended."

In the late 19th century the architectural style of the Jefferson Building was said to be "Italian Renaissance." Today, it is recognized as a premier example of the Beaux Arts style, which is theatrical, heavily ornamented and kinetic. It is a style perfectly suited to a young, wealthy, and imperialistic nation in its Gilded Age. The materials — marble (15 varieties), granite (400,000 cubic feet), bronze, gold, mahogany — were expensive but would last a thousand years. In plan the Jefferson Building is a hollow rectangle with a rotunda, bookstacks and four courtyards occupying the core. (Two of the courtyards have been filled with additional bookstacks while another was partially filled with a recital hall.) Corner and central pavilions are connected by hyphens (called "curtains") and create five-part compositions on the west and east fronts.

The principal front faces the Capitol Building, rising four stories above grade with a low dome covering the central reading room. A monumental split stair featuring the Neptune Fountain rises in multiple flights to the main entrance, with three pairs of sculpted bronze doors. The granite exterior is heavily rusticated and vermiculated at the lowest level but grows finer and smoother as the walls rise. Paired Corinthian columns were employed at the central portico, which also has portrait busts of famous writers framed by circular windows. At the building's pinnacle the "Flame of Knowledge" is gold leafed, as was the copper dome until the 1930s.
          
    
      Image Gallery
    
    The Court of Neptune fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C.
    Library of Congress interior
    A hallway in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building with ornate walls, ceiling and floor.
    From the mosaic tiled floor to the Corinthian columns and painted archways, the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building has history and beauty worth stopping to admire.
    Floor tile at the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    View of the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

View of the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Column capital in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Column capital in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Exterior view of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Exterior view of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Exterior view of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Exterior view of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    The Torch of Knowledge atop the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

The Torch of Knowledge atop the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
    Detail view of a stairway in the Thomas Jefferson Building's Great Hall.

Detail view of a stairway in the Thomas Jefferson Building's Great Hall.
    One of the 33 ethnological heads that ornament the keystones of the first-story windows.

One of the 33 ethnological heads that ornament the keystones of the first-story windows.

      Previous Image
        Next Image

          The Court of Neptune fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C.
      Library of Congress interior
      A hallway in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building with ornate walls, ceiling and floor.
      From the mosaic tiled floor to the Corinthian columns and painted archways, the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building has history and beauty worth stopping to admire.
      Floor tile at the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      View of the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Column capital in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Looking up in the Great Hall in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Exterior view of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Exterior view of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      The Torch of Knowledge atop the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
      Detail view of a stairway in the Thomas Jefferson Building's Great Hall.
      One of the 33 ethnological heads that ornament the keystones of the first-story windows.
Image
    Fountain.
  The Art Collection
        Court of Neptune
        Passersby enjoy the play of the jets of water on the majestic, bearded and muscular king of the sea; his sons the tritons blowing conches; the frolicking, horseback-riding Nereids (sea nymphs); and the water-spouting turtles, frogs and sea serpent, placed in front of a grotto-like wall. The tritons and the seahorses have fish tails instead of legs. The horse, sacred to Neptune, symbolizes water.
        About the Piece
        VIEW ALL ART

Background Image

Library of Congress Buildings
Explore More
            
          Exterior view of a building.James Madison Memorial Building
    Sky and exterior of a building.John Adams Building
    Exterior view of a building.Packard Campus
    Aisle between bookshelves.Fort Meade Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe