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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
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        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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      An Architect of the Capitol street sweeper cleans up in Washington, D.C.

History & Discoveries

  The Architect of the Capitol Sweeps Up the Past
By Morgan Green |July 13, 2021
When Jim Kaufmann, Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Director, happened across an 1891 street-sweeping map while going through cultural landscape reports, he had no idea how simple an old map could make caring for the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
    Map illustration of John Adam's route: 1. Philadelphia 2. Downingtown 3. Lancaster 4. York 5. Frederick 6. Rockville 7. Georgetown *. Final Destination: Washington, D.C.

History & Discoveries

  John Adams' Carriage Ride to Washington D.C., in 1800
By franklin bradley |February 10, 2021
President John Adams issued a letter to all federal agencies on May 15, 1800, directing the "removal of the public offices, clerks and papers" from the capital city of Philadelphia. In that single sentence, Adams started the final move of the U.S. government to its permanent home, the newly created city of Washington, in the District of Columbia.
    Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

History & Discoveries

  Honoring the U.S. Capitol Guides Buried in Congressional Cemetery
By blake lindsey |December 15, 2020
Several of the men who first led tours through the U.S. Capitol are buried in Congressional Cemetery. In December 2019, a group from the Capitol Visitor Center Social Committee gathered at the cemetery to place markers on the graves of these guides and learn more about their lives.
    Benjamin Henry Latrobe was the second Architect of the Capitol, first hired in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson.

History & Discoveries

  Benjamin Henry Latrobe's Capitol Contributions
By kate holder |September 29, 2020
The Second Architect's Neoclassical Style Made a Lasting Impact
    This 1873 photograph shows how the USBG's first Conservatory had grown from a single Victorian greenhouse to this large, five-part Conservatory with 14 support greenhouses.

History & Discoveries

  U.S. Botanic Garden at 200: Deeply Rooted, Branching Outward
By devin dotson |July 23, 2020
For 200 years, the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) has been showcasing plants to visitors from around the globe. The USBG was originally proposed by George Washington to establish a place for Americans to learn about useful and engaging plants.
    The tombstone of Colonel Charles De Witt. Born 1727 - Died Aug. 27, 1787. Patriot, statesman and leader in the revolution. Voting to ratify the Declaration of Independence.

History & Discoveries

  Charles De Witt: Founding Farmer, A Life of Service
By franklin bradley |July 23, 2019
Starting in the 1650's, the De Witt family settled in and around Kingston, New York, and was prominent in the early history of Ulster County. Colonel Charles De Witt's career extended far beyond his home county, including being named as delegate to the Continental Congress.
    Brumidi's "War" is portrayed by Minerva, goddess of wisdom and battle, flying across a landscape accompanied by a cherub riding on an eagle.

History & Discoveries

  Six Special Rooms by Brumidi
By sarah davis |July 2, 2019
Brumidi worked on an impressive number of projects in the U.S. Capitol, including: the House Committee on Agriculture room, Lyndon B. Johnson Room, Senate Reception Room, the President's Room, the Committee on Naval Affairs room and the Senate Committee on Military Affairs room.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    "Declaration of Independence" scene from the Frieze of American History found in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

History & Discoveries

  Artfully Yours, John Adams
By sarah davis |October 30, 2018
Similar to many other Founding Fathers, John Adams appears in several pieces of art throughout the United States Capitol. He played a large role in the Declaration of Independence, and art involving the signing of this document is where he can be found the most.
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