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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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Areas of Expertise (field_relation_expertise)
        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
Ongoing Projects (field_relation_project) (entityreference filter)
        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
Article TypeBehind the Scenes

                    Doing Good

                    From the Architect

                    History & Discoveries

                    Programs & Events

                    Projects
      The Capitol Materials Cart being shown to visitors in Emancipation Hall.

Programs & Events

  Cool Tools: Capitol Materials Cart
By erin courtney |June 5, 2019
The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting. The cart's trays allow Capitol visitors to see and touch elements of the building often out of reach or hidden to an untrained eye.
    Section, Revised Dome Design for U.S. Capitol. Pen, Ink and watercolor by Thomas U. Walter, 1859.

History & Discoveries

  Dancing by Dawn's Early Light
By franklin bradley |May 21, 2019
Did you know that the 15,000-pound bronze Statue of Freedom, standing atop the 9 million pounds of cast iron of the U.S. Capitol Dome, dances every day?
    The Blackjack painting discovered in the U.S. Capitol.

History & Discoveries

  Rediscovering Blackjack
By erin courtney |May 14, 2019
During a recent renovation at the U.S. Capitol Building, members of the Architect of the Capitol uncovered a long-forgotten painting of the famous horse, Blackjack. During his tenure, Blackjack took part in the funerals of Presidents Hoover, Kennedy and Johnson as well as General MacArthur.
    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.
    Paul Miller (left) and Anderson Alleyne (right) are two AOC employees that embody its mission to serve, preserve and inspire.

Behind the Scenes

  Preparing for the Moment Opportunity Knocks
By erin nelson |April 10, 2019
Employee spotlight on an Architect of the Capitol elevator mechanic who started as a night shift laborer in the U.S. Capitol building and has continued to rise through the ranks by participating in on-the-job training and taking agency-sponsored courses.
    United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. Section of south wing, 1800s drawing by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Retrieved from the Library of Congress.

History & Discoveries

  Jefferson Finds Capitol Inspiration in City of Light
By franklin bradley |April 3, 2019
Thomas Jefferson, inspired by skylights he saw in Paris, prevailed upon the Architect of the Capitol to include something similar in the U.S. Capitol's new chamber for the House of Representatives. However, all the skylights came to an untimely end.
    AOC employees test an underground utility locator on the West Front lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Behind the Scenes

  We Dig Technology
By erin courtney |March 26, 2019
There's a cool tool that enables the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to quickly respond to requests to dig on the U.S. Capitol grounds. It has eight receiving antennas making it easier for the person operating the locator to get a signal from buried utility lines as deep as 15 feet.
    Restoring the windows of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Projects

  Preserving Historic Windows and Doors
By kristen frederick |February 12, 2019
The preservation of the Cannon House Office Building's historic windows and doors allows the building to retain much of its original character and charm, while increasing the building's functionality for those who work and visit within its walls. Learn more about the process.
    Close-up view of bronze door handle in the shape of a snake. Once part of the entrance to the U.S. Capitol's House chamber.

History & Discoveries

  Cast in a New Light: The Capitol Bronze Shop (1855-1859)
By kate holder |February 8, 2019
At a critical time in the U.S. Capitol's evolution, there was a Capitol Bronze Shop established by Montgomery Meigs. From 1855 to 1859, the shop helped serve the needs of the Capitol Extension, a major expansion project to accommodate a growing Congress in Washington, D.C.
    Senate Move Coordinator Bonnie Holod, who is also the supervisory architect in the Senate Office Buildings jurisdiction, works with Michael Gass and Paul Bosch, wood crafters with the Senate Wood Crafting Branch, to hang artwork in a senator's office.

Behind the Scenes

  Senate Office Moves
By elizabeth yoder |February 6, 2019
Every two years, the Senate Office Buildings jurisdiction takes on one of its biggest responsibilities, the Senate election-year office moves.
    AOC House Office Buildings employees work together to shrink wrap boxes, ensuring a safe move.

Behind the Scenes

  House Office Moves
By aoc staff |February 4, 2019
The U.S. House of Representatives just underwent one of the biggest transition cycles in recent history. The Architect of the Capitol's House Office Buildings jurisdiction is heavily involved in the corresponding work — this includes overseeing the lottery process for suite selections to moving all of the affected offices.
    A bowler hat discovered during the renewal of the Cannon House Office Building.

History & Discoveries

  Cool Cannon Construction Finds
By kristen frederick |January 3, 2019
During the process of renewing the Cannon House Office Building, workers have found hidden treasures that had been lost or discarded by the laborers who constructed the building more than 100 years ago. Here's a small sampling of what has been discovered since the start of the project.
    Person working on a ceiling.

History & Discoveries

  Revealing a Tiled Treasure
By kristen frederick |December 18, 2018
How a successful immigrant family left their mark on the U.S. Capitol campus, and Architect of the Capitol's work to clean and preserve a historic treasure: the Cannon House Office Building basement rotunda with a Guastavino tile vaulted ceiling intact as it was originally constructed in 1907.
    Members of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum inspect a vehicle operating on the U.S. Capitol campus.

Behind the Scenes

  Reclaiming an Ordinary Day
By erin courtney |November 27, 2018
A story of AOC employees coming together to improve safety on the U.S. Capitol campus for everyone: The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum uses a management tool to track vehicles owned and operated by the agency. The success of this fleet tracker system is leading to more improvements.
    AOC employees exemplify One Team, One Mission.

From the Architect

  Architect's Notebook: One of My Favorite Things
By stephen t ayers |November 16, 2018
While Architect's Notebook is often used to write about architectural features found on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., this time it's about Stephen Ayers' favorite and most important part of this organization: AOC employees! More specifically, their giving and generous spirit.
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