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 CampusOur Blog
How The Capitol Crypt Got Its Name

Is anyone buried in the U.S. Capitol? The term "crypt" has long referred to a space beneath the main floor of a church or a chamber in a mausoleum. For many of us it suggests somber, stony silence and perhaps dusty coffins. The Capitol Crypt, however, is a different thing altogether.
By Curator Division | Updated December 14, 2022
        
                  Image
    Columns in a room.

The Capitol Crypt is a brightly lit circular room below the Rotunda is one of the most heavily used circulation spaces in the building, its sandstone floor trodden by hundreds every day. Visitors weave around the 40 Doric columns and stand on the white stone compass star in the center, where the city's four quadrants meet. Around the perimeter stand statues of prominent individuals from the nation's original 13 colonies, and display cases present exhibits and historic objects. Indeed, *funereal* would be among the last words one might use in describing its ambience.

Such a description might also have sounded odd to the Capitol's first architects and visitors. On a 1797 plan by Dr. William Thornton, the Crypt is labeled "Grand Vestibule;" on an 1806 plan, Benjamin Henry Latrobe calls it "General Vestibule to all the Offices." In 1824, a report of the Commissioners of Public Buildings refers to it as the "lower rotundo." By 1829, however, the current term appears to have come into popular usage. In discussing "the round apartment under the Rotundo," an article in the *Nashville Republican & State Gazette* notes that the room "is similar to the substructions of the European Cathedrals, and may take the name of Crypt from them." After that time, the name *Crypt* appears consistently in guide books, reports and correspondence.

Washington's Tomb?

Of course, as everyone who tours the Capitol learns, this room was associated with a proposed interment even before it was built.

Star on floor of chamber in the U.S. Capitol proposed for George Washington's remains.

Gate of chamber in the U.S. Capitol proposed for George Washington's remains.

Chamber in the U.S. Capitol proposed for George Washington's remains.


After the death of President Washington in 1799, Congress resolved to honor him in the Capitol. A chamber for the remains of the first president and his wife was added to the plans for the center section of the building and constructed two stories below the Rotunda. Directly above the tomb (i.e., in the center of the Crypt) was to be placed a marble statue of Washington, and overhead a 10-foot circular opening was left in the center of the Rotunda floor so that visitors could view it from above.

However, Washington's grave remained at Mount Vernon in accordance with his wishes, and no statue of him was ever placed in the Crypt. Because the 10-foot opening was allowing persistent drafts and dampness into the Rotunda, it was sealed in 1828. This was a source of great satisfaction to artist John Trumbull, for it relieved his concerns about further damage to his four monumental history paintings—two of which honor George Washington.
THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED March 4, 2013
Comments
    
  
    
Thomas Davis (... (not verified)PermalinkOctober 30, 2015 - 3:44pmI love reading and hearing stories like this about our great nation's history!
ReplyErik Kohl (not... (not verified)PermalinkOctober 30, 2015 - 5:29pmThanks for the information. I never knew that part of the history of the building. The Rotunda was an impressive sight during my visit to the building in 1980.I never made it to the Crypt.
ReplyDarryl Adams (not verified)PermalinkJanuary 25, 2023 - 12:05pmFinally, facts about the "General Vestibule".  I`ve worked in this building for over 35 years, even been a part of the Labor room employees team responsible for the bringing "The Lincoln catafalque" to the Rotunda. The catafalque was stored in the area directly below the compass in the  Crypt floor and we carried it from there, on our shoulders, to the second floor for the ceremony its always been honor to perform that task.
ReplyMichael Gemma (not verified)PermalinkOctober 18, 2023 - 3:49pmI was priveleged to have a "DOME" tour.  Access granted by invitation from a House Representative or Senator.  Amazing experience to see the Apotheosis of George Washington up close, the acoustics are awesome at the top.  Also got to stand out under Statue of Freedom and see the view of DC from the center of our Nations Capitol building.
ReplyAdd new comment
    Your name
Email Address
        The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Comment
About text formats
Plain text
  
  
      
          No HTML tags allowed.
                      Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
                      Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
          
    
      Recent Stories
Related Articles
            
          History & Discoveries

  Evolution of Women in Art at the U.S. Capitol

An in-depth look at the evolution of women in art at the U.S. Capitol.
    History & Discoveries

  Capitol Illumination

Learn more about the history of lighting this iconic building including the part of the Dome called the "tholos."
    History & Discoveries

  Artfully Yours, George Washington

While George Washington never actually graced the halls of the U.S. Capitol, his presence, influence and even his likeness, is everywhere including 35 pieces of art.
    History & Discoveries

  Unearthing Capitol Hill's Buried History

Visit Congressional Cemetery and discover the many connections the Architect of the Capitol has to this hallowed ground.
    
                      More Stories 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