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View of a walkway and benches on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.History & DiscoveriesTop 5 Spots to Enjoy Spring on the Capitol CampusSpring in Washington, D.C., is one of the most beautiful times to visit the nation's capital. Learn about five beautiful, and less known spots, to enjoy the warm weather near the U.S. Capitol.Read the Story

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        ExpertiseArchitectureElectricalEngineeringGardeningHistoric PreservationMasonryMechanicsMetal WorkPainting and PlasterPlumbingVisitor ServicesWoodcrafting
Place (field_relation_place) (entityreference filter)
        PlaceBartholdi Fountain and GardensBrumidi CorridorsCannon House Office BuildingCapitol DomeCapitol Power PlantCapitol RotundaCapitol Subway SystemCryptDirksen Senate Office BuildingFort MeadeLongworth House Office BuildingNational Statuary HallO'Neill House Office BuildingOld Senate ChamberOld Supreme Court ChamberOlmsted TerraceOutdoor GardensPackard CampusRussell Senate Office BuildingSmall House RotundaSummerhouseSupreme Court BuildingThomas Jefferson BuildingU.S. Botanic Garden ConservatoryU.S. Botanic Garden Production FacilityU.S. Capitol BuildingU.S. Capitol GroundsU.S. Capitol Visitor Center
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        ProjectCannon RenewalCapitol Building Paint Analysis and Plaster RepairsCapitol Exterior Preservation - Stone and MetalDome Restoration ProjectGrant Memorial ConservationHeritage Asset ConservationOlmsted Terrace PreservationRussell Exterior Envelope ProjectStone Preservation on the Capitol Campus
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      History & Discoveries

  Grazing the Capitol Grounds
By aoc staff |February 3, 2014
The Capitol Grounds have long been a haven for wildlife, with residents ranging from squirrels to red-tailed hawks to a red fox. But sheep? If it had been left up to one Virginia farmer more than 90 years ago, flocks of sheep might be spotted grazing on the grounds today.
    History & Discoveries

  Beyond the Dome – Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center
By erin nelson |June 3, 2013
Venture outside the U.S. Capitol to explore the other buildings under the AOC's care.
    History & Discoveries

  History with a Side of Mystery: the Rotunda Benches
By sharon gang |June 4, 2015
The AOC cares for the benches in the United States Capitol Rotunda whose cast-iron supports and arms were based on a design sketched by Constantino Brumidi in 1859. These benches have also called a few other locations home over the years, including Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C.
    History & Discoveries

  America's Greatest Engineer?
By matt guilfoyle |February 20, 2013
Montgomery Meigs – who built the U.S. Capitol while helping save the Union it represents – may be America's greatest engineer. His contributions were both in engineering (the Dome) and in management (he hired artists). Another lasting legacy is his use of photography to document the construction.
    History & Discoveries

  Designing with ADA in Mind
By nancy skinkle |July 22, 2015
The AOC's Facilities Planning and Programming Division incorporates seemingly small improvements into the design of our facilities and their outside environments, helping not only those with disabilities, but each one of us.
    The artifacts in this photograph were passed down through the family of Brumidi's third wife and given to the Architect of the Capitol.

History & Discoveries

  Personal Artifacts of a Capitol Artist
By aoc curator |May 6, 2019
Several artifacts were passed down through Brumidi's family and given to the Architect of the Capitol over a span of years beginning around 1961. The items include a nickel-plated oval box, a Bible, a small framed photograph, a prize medal, a sterling silver fruit knife and two napkin rings.
    History & Discoveries

  Celebrating 150 Years of Freedom
By lori taylor |December 2, 2013
While there may not be an exact "completion date" for our U.S. Capitol Building, there is one day that truly stands out in its history — December 2, 1863, when the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the Capitol Dome 150 years ago, effectively completing the Capitol Dome that we still see today.
    History & Discoveries

  Keeping History in Perspective
By stephen t ayers |July 23, 2013
Stephen T. Ayers, eleventh Architect of the Capitol, remembers one of the major players in the U.S. Capitol's history: Charles Bulfinch, third Architect of the Capitol. Bulfinch was responsible for designing the U.S. Capitol's first dome, which was made of wood and copper.
    Capitol Dome out of focus, branch in foreground.

History & Discoveries

  Who or What Goes There?
By erin courtney |October 31, 2017
On Friday, October 13, Architect of the Capitol employees set out to look into a new Capitol Building mystery involving delicate pink fabric with hand-stitching. Construction sites often yield historic artifacts, including bottles, newspapers and tools, but this find is new for the agency.
    History & Discoveries

  Rising High – AOC's Elevator Mechanics
By lori taylor |July 9, 2013
The Library Buildings and Grounds Elevator Division of the Architect of the Capitol runs some of the oldest elevator systems on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Adapting to new technologies, while still maintaining antique systems, is one of the AOC elevator mechanics' unique skills.
    History & Discoveries

  Capitol Reflections: ADA and Life Safety
By laura condeluci |July 26, 2015
A look back at how life safety relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and what has changed on the United States Capitol campus over the past 25 years. For example, fire alarms are now required to have flashing strobe lights, in addition to an audible sound.
    History & Discoveries

  USBG National Garden Turns 10
By devin dotson |June 21, 2016
Opened to the public on October 1, 2006, the National Garden is a key element of the USBG, along with the Conservatory and Bartholdi Park.
    History & Discoveries

  Monuments Men Return to Inspire on Capitol Hill
By franklin bradley |October 22, 2015
Recognizing a few of the Monuments Men with accomplishments seen on Capitol Hill, from the outside of the buildings to the rooms and artwork within.
    Preparation for spring on Capitol grounds.

History & Discoveries

  Falling Into Spring
By erin courtney |March 29, 2017
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.
    Groundbreaking at the Hart Senate Office Building.

History & Discoveries

  Growth in Major Facilities Under AOC's Care
By andrew dentamaro |November 8, 2017
As the country grows, so does the Capitol campus and, with it, the AOC's responsibilities.
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