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          ArtSenate Fountain|June 11, 2020The hexagon is 25 feet across and the basin measures 85 feet by 100 feet. From the oval basin the water is piped underground to three sculpted stone bubbler **fountains** in the north wall of the terrace. The scalloped rims of their tiered basins repeat the pattern of the large **fountain** above. From there the water is again piped underground to the lower level of the 180-foot-by-80-foot reflecting pool. The present lighting display is comprised of 114 underwater ...Authorization for its construction, for that of the terraces, and for landscaping was given on March 4, 1929. The fountain was designed by architects Bennett, Parsons and Frost and built under the direction of Architect of the Capitol David Lynn . It operated for the first time on July 16, 1932. The
    BuildingBartholdi Fountain and Gardens|June 10, 2020In 2018, Bartholdi Gardens achieved SITES Gold certification  for its sustainability strategies. Created in 1932 when the U.S. Botanic Garden  (USBG) was relocated, the park was renamed in 1985 after the sculptor of the historic "**Fountain** of Light and Water" located at its center, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi—later famous for the Statue of Liberty. Bartholdi **Fountain** and Gardens  serves as an area where visitors can learn the latest horticultural techniques for their home landscapes. The plantings are frequently updated to showcase new ...Bartholdi Gardens serves as a home landscape demonstration garden and showcases innovative plant combinations in a variety of styles and design themes.
    ArtFirst CornerstoneBy Sarah Davis|June 2, 2023Contemporary Masonic practice included the laying of an inscribed metal plate along with a cornerstone. Caleb Bentley, a Quaker clockmaker and silversmith who lived in Georgetown not far from Suter's Fountain Inn, where the commissioners held their meetings, made the silver plate for the Capitol
    ArtLower Senate Fountain Cherry Trees|June 30, 2020Site of two varieties: Yoshino ( Prunus x yeodoensis ) and Japanese flowering ( Prunus serrulata ).
    ProjectSummerhouse MaintenanceBy Sarah Davis|March 9, 2022The Architect of the Capitol's repair and renovation of the Summerhouse fountain and surrounding landscape is complete. Additional landscape improvements to the grotto and surrounding planting beds will continue into the spring of 2024.
    ArtHouse Garage Fountain Cherry Trees|June 30, 2020Site of one variety: Japanese flowering (Prunus serrulata).
    ArtCourt of Neptune|June 11, 2020Passersby 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
    Basic pageSummer at the U.S. Capitol|June 20, 2020What can visitors see and do in summer? **Fountains** Although the water features maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) are not designed for humans to recreate in, several crowd-pleasing pools of cool are located near the U.S. Capitol including the Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park fountain , the Court of Neptune and the U.S Botanic ...What can visitors see and do in summer? Fountains Although the water features maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) are not designed for humans to recreate in, several crowd-pleasing pools of cool are located near the U.S. Capitol including the Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park
    History & DiscoveriesArticleCalm and Collected WatersBy Sarah Davis|June 20, 2018Capitol campus look cool and refreshing, they aren't designed for humans to play in. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental tranquility and increased creativity. Below is a collection of seven water features that inspire. 1. Olmsted **Fountains** Near the central entrance of the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center are two large **fountains** designed by Frederick Law Olmsted that often feature floral displays. 2. West Front Fountain The octagonal fountain on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol has a circular basin with eight ...Summer officially starts this week and the weather in Washington, D.C., is getting warmer. While water features on the U.S. Capitol campus look cool and refreshing, they aren't designed for humans to play in. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental
    Public NoticeArticleU.S. Botanic Garden Reopens to VisitorsBy AOC Staff|April 1, 2022The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory reopened to the public today, April 1, marking a full reopening of all areas of the USBG.
    Behind the ScenesArticleArboretum in the CityBy Carol Campos|April 26, 2023Capitol Grounds. This area includes lawns, parks, historic and commemorative trees, statuary, historic **fountains** and water features that provide an awe-inspiring setting for the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol Grounds were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in a Capitol campus expansion project performed from 1874 to 1892. Olmsted used trees heavily in his design to both frame the building ...Walking around the U.S. Capitol Grounds you can't help but be in awe of the impressive buildings and their historic meaning, what you probably don't know is that the U.S. Capitol Building is surrounded by an arboretum.
    BuildingSummerhouse|June 10, 2020The fountain in the center of the building originally provided drinking water piped from a spring. The six small metal fittings around the fountain's upper perimeter secured chains that are believed to have held drinking cups or ladles. Three individual drinking **fountains** connected to the filtered city water supply now provide drinking water, and the central fountain is used only for display. The water supply for the grotto was originally provided by a runoff stream from a drinking fountain at the Capitol's west entrance. Later, a city-water stream was made to flow ...Construction on the Summerhouse began in 1879 and was completed in late 1880 or early 1881 by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
    BuildingCapitol Power Plant|June 9, 2020The Capitol Power Plant provides steam and chilled water used to heat and cool buildings throughout the U.S. Capitol campus.
    BuildingOlmsted Terrace|June 10, 2020Some of Olmsted's significant hardscape elements can be found on the East Front plaza of the  U.S. Capitol . Restoration and modernization work was completed as part of the building of the  Capitol Visitor Center . The **fountains** and lanterns are fully modernized , and new technologies, such as the fountain's water pressure levels, are tied to an anemometer that lowers the water pressure as winds rise. The terrace walls that wrap around the Capitol to the north, west and south are constructed largely of Lee Massachusetts ...In 1874, Frederick Law Olmsted was charged with devising a comprehensive landscape scheme for the U.S. Capitol. Olmsted's major concern was the visual presentation of the Capitol Building and the support of its daily functions.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleOlmsted's Never-Built RetreatBy Franklin Bradley|September 21, 2021He called the **fountains** Olmsted built on the east side of the U.S. Capitol, "a couple of Dutch spittoons." Beck had likely seen the Summerhouse before it was blended into its surroundings. While it was under construction, the entire brick building was visible. Much of the completed structure would be covered by soil that ...Before it was cut from the budget, Olmsted had begun designing a south summerhouse; his sketches for it have been rediscovered.
    Public NoticeArticleLiving On, The Olmsted WayBy AOC Staff|March 7, 2022Capitol Grounds , a delightful design he used to accentuate the U.S. Capitol Building. In his submission for the Architect of the Capitol's annual report, Olmsted wrote, "the ground is in design part of the Capitol, but in all respects subsidiary to the central structure." Olmsted incorporated hardscapes – **fountains**, lanterns, lamps, walkways and terrace walls – into his plan for the U.S. Capitol Grounds. He also was very careful and deliberate with his placement of trees to afford attractive views of the U.S. Capitol.   Olmsted explained his aesthetic, and the central role of trees in it, in an 1882 essay, in ...Two trees, Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) and Styphnolobium japonicum (Japanese pagoda), will be removed for safety reasons this spring.
    BuildingThomas Jefferson Building|June 9, 2020Until the Thomas Jefferson Building opened in 1897, the Library of Congress was housed in the U.S. Capitol's west center building.
    Behind the ScenesArticleBy the Numbers: Presidential Inauguration 2021By Erin Nelson|January 4, 2021Much goes into the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Here are a few numbers that help set the stage for this special day.
    PersonFrederick Law Olmsted|June 9, 2020Regarded as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) is best known for designing the grounds of New York City's Central Park, the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleBy the Numbers: Senate FountainBy Andrew Dentamaro|April 12, 20173 ...   The **fountain** consists of three separate components: the main basin, lower level basins and the reflecting pool. From the basin, the water is piped underground to three sculpted stone bubbler **fountains** in the north wall of the terrace. From there the water is again piped underground to the lower level of the reflecting pool. 6 ...   Number of lion-head spouts on the faces of the hexagon main basin. Water streams into a large circular basin with a scalloped stone rim, over which water spill into a ...One of the overlooked gems on Capitol Hill, the Senate fountain , is nestled between Union Station and the U.S. Capitol, atop the Senate upper park. A hexagonal granite monolith with high jets of water spouting from its center, the Architect of the Capitol received authorization for its construction
    History & DiscoveriesArticleWater Features EverywhereBy Sarah Davis|April 7, 2016Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or pool. Popular water features near the U.S. Capitol include Bartholdi Fountain , Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park **fountains** and the Neptune Fountain , but below are eight others to know around the campus. 1. Skylight Reflecting Pools On the Capitol Building 's east front plaza, two identical pools are installed. The center of each acts as a glass skylight for the Capitol Visitor Center complex located beneath.   2. ...There are more than 20 water features that Architect of the Capitol employees care for. Spanning across the Capitol campus, each of the House office buildings, Senate office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, Supreme Court buildings and the U.S. Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or
    BuildingU.S. Capitol Grounds|June 10, 2020Many of the trees on the grounds bear plaques that identify their species and their historic significance. The eastern part of the grounds contains the greatest number of historic and commemorative trees. At the East Capitol Street entrance to the Capitol Plaza are two large rectangular stone **fountains**. The bottom levels now contain plantings, but at times in the past they have been used to catch the spillover from the **fountains**. At other times, both levels have held plantings. Six massive red granite lamp piers topped with light fixtures in wrought-iron cages and 16 smaller bronze light fixtures ...The grounds immediately surrounding the U.S. Capitol are bordered by a stone wall and cover an area of 58.8 acres. Its boundaries are Independence Avenue on the south, Constitution Avenue on the north, First Street NE/SE on the east, and First Street NW/SW on the west.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleFalling Into SpringBy Erin Courtney|March 29, 2017"Our gardeners pull, till and amend more than 160 flower beds and plant springtime bulbs. Our maintenance shop is busy hauling materials for the gardeners, cleaning and making repairs to **fountains**, and servicing the Capitol Reflecting Pool . And our tree care specialists are preparing recently planted campus trees to not only survive cold weather but thrive in the warmer months," said Bechtol. Ralph LoJacono, Supervisor of the Gardening Division, is constantly watching the weather, the ...Spring is the season of new beginnings when the Earth seems to come to life again. But it is the year-round planning, preparation and hard work of the Capitol Grounds team that ensures buds bloom, vibrant colors delight and fragrant flowers excite the senses on Capitol Hill. Ted Bechtol , Capitol
    Programs & EventsArticleCool Tools: Capitol Materials CartBy Erin Courtney|June 5, 2019Members of our trade teams showcased their expertise in electrical systems, masonry, sheet metal, woodcrafting and painting. The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team highlighted the Olmsted Plan and the gorgeous features of the grounds, from living trees and plants to historic **fountains** and walls. The United States Botanic Garden team encouraged visitors to participate in a wide variety of activities. Attendees also got a sneak peek at one of the agency's largest construction projects, the Cannon Renewal . Capitol Hill Day was a success. Adult, Family and Youth Program Coordinator ...The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.
    ArtPeace Monument|June 11, 2020The white marble Peace Monument was erected in 1877-1878 to commemorate the naval deaths at sea during the Civil War.
    ProjectsArticleOlmsted Lanterns RestorationBy Kate Holder|February 4, 2021Commissioned in 1873 by the U.S. Congress to design the enlarged grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Olmsted spent the next 20-plus years overseeing the development of the 58.8-acre site. His plan included not only planting hundreds of trees and shrubs but also constructing walls, walkways, **fountains** and the massive marble terraces surrounding the north, west and south sides of the U.S. Capitol. To help light walkways on the grounds, Olmsted also designed and constructed numerous lanterns with the help of his young architectural associate, Thomas Wisedell. Between 1882 and 1894, 14 of their ...The large bronze and glass lanterns are mounted on stately sandstone piers with intricately carved sandstone caps.
    From the ArchitectArticleArchitect's Notebook: Design with PurposeBy Stephen T. Ayers|March 15, 2017This sense of order and balance are comforting to me. I hope you're able to take in some of the finer details around our beautiful campus this spring as the flowers and **fountains** burst to life. Stephen T. Ayers is the 11th Architect of the Capitol. ...As many of you know, I love birds. I made the mistake of announcing at a meeting some time ago that I occasionally listen to CDs of bird calls and songs as I drive to and from work. Most of the members of my team have made fun of me since then, while a few other bird enthusiasts have secretly come
    Behind the ScenesArticleBehind the Scenes: Senate Office Buildings Masonry BranchBy Elizabeth Yoder|November 1, 2017Donald Kline removes failing caulking from the Russell Courtyard fountain. Their work is time consuming and exacting, but, because of their skill, is largely invisible once it's complete. Masons restore marble, color matching the epoxy to carefully hide the seams. They clean granite in the Senate **fountains** which gets stained because of sediment in the water. And they repair ornate decorative plaster elements which serve as focal points in key rooms in the Senate office buildings. Masonry staff also cut holes in the walls and the floor for needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades, then seamlessly ...Some Architect of the Capitol employees are highly visible, while others work behind the scenes to preserve the awe-inspiring facilities on Capitol Hill. Go behind the scenes to learn more about the work of the Senate Office Buildings Masonry Branch beginning at 4 a.m. each morning.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleU.S. Botanic Garden at 200: Deeply Rooted, Branching OutwardBy Devin Dotson|July 23, 2020For 200 years, the U.S. Botanic Garden has been showcasing plants to visitors from around the globe. Originally proposed by George Washington to establish a place for Americans to learn about useful and engaging plants.
    ProjectsArticleAt the AOC, It's Always Home Improvement TimeBy Justin Kieffer|June 24, 2021While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.
    
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