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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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        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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      British Burn the Capitol, 1814, Allyn Cox, 1974, Corridor, House wing, First Floor.

History & Discoveries

  A Most Magnificent Ruin: The Burning of the Capitol during the War of 1812
By aoc curator |August 1, 2023
In retaliation for Americans burning the Canadian capital at York (Toronto) on April 27, 1813, British troops would later descend on Washington, D.C., setting fire to much of the city. Follow the path the British took in 1814 to burn the U.S. Capitol and learn more about damage done to this historic building.
    Gnome statue in doorway.

History & Discoveries

  Meigs' Miniatures: The Story of the Tiny Doors in the U.S. Capitol
By erin nelson |December 23, 2022
Guesses for what is behind the Capitol Building's smallest doors are as varied as the architectural details that encompass the Capitol campus. The correct explanation for their existence involves Christmas Eve, the Library of Congress and engineer Montgomery Meigs.
    Painting of two people sitting.

History & Discoveries

  The Liberty Cap in the Art of the U.S. Capitol
By aoc curator |January 29, 2013
The liberty cap was the symbol of freedom and liberty commonly used in the 19th century and is seen in many places in the United States Capitol.
    Columns in a room.

History & Discoveries

  How The Capitol Crypt Got Its Name
By aoc curator |December 14, 2022
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.
    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.
    The moon and a statue of a person.

History & Discoveries

  Haunted Halls of Congress: 5 Creepy Capitol Legends
By erin courtney |October 31, 2022
Given that the United States Capitol was once expected to be the final resting place for George Washington, replete with a crypt, should we be surprised that multiple Capitol-related ghost stories exist? Discover the myths, mysteries and folklore of this historic American building.
    Sculpture with a clock.

History & Discoveries

  Bells, Buzzers, Clicks and Clocks
By sharon gang |October 2, 2014
In a world where everyone carries a cell phone and some carry more than one, people still check the historic clocks on the Capitol campus for the time of day.
    The U.S. Capitol Building.

History & Discoveries

  Capitol Illumination
By franklin bradley |March 6, 2024
The Architect of the Capitol makes the U.S. Capitol Dome, an enduring symbol of democracy recognized throughout the world, visible to all throughout the night. Learn more about the history of lighting this iconic building including the part of the Dome called the "tholos."
    Clock face.

History & Discoveries

  Around the Clocks
By sarah davis |December 31, 2015
All eyes are on the clocks as we countdown on New Years Eve. These clocks around the Capitol campus also get plenty of attention throughout the rest of the year.
    Drawing.

History & Discoveries

  The Lincoln Catafalque in the U.S. Capitol
By aoc curator |April 15, 2015
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s death, AOC Curator Barbara Wolanin details the days he lay in state at the U.S. Capitol.
    Close-up detail of Abraham Lincoln's statue in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

History & Discoveries

  Lincoln and the Capitol
By matt guilfoyle |November 9, 2012
Today, one cannot walk far in the U.S. Capitol without seeing a likeness or connection to President Abraham Lincoln and the tumultuous period he served in Congress and the White House. A good place to begin walking in his footsteps is outside on the East Front in the shadow of the Capitol Dome.
    History & Discoveries

  Windows of Capitol Hill
By stephen t ayers |January 22, 2013
Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers reflects on the almost 600,000 square feet of windows – of all different shapes, size and age – cared for by the AOC.
    Close-up detail photo with Statue of Freedom during conservation in 1993.

History & Discoveries

  Evolution of Women in Art at the U.S. Capitol
By michele cohen |March 12, 2024
An in-depth look at the evolution of women in art at the U.S. Capitol. First appearing primarily as allegorical figures representing ideals, not individuals. Later, as women took on more prominent positions in society and won basic rights, greater opportunities and visibility have led to more.
    Triangle shaped sculpture.

History & Discoveries

  New Perspective, New Discoveries: A Close-up Look at Crawford's Progress of Civilization
By michele cohen |September 28, 2016
We have made some interesting discoveries about the details of the sculptures and the sources of some of the depicted figures; we discovered and solved a few puzzles, and we also came across a few mysteries that we're still working on (and we'd welcome your help!).
    The Summerhouse, obscured by the plants, vines and trees of Olmsted's original design, blends into the landscape.

History & Discoveries

  Olmsted's Never-Built Retreat
By franklin bradley |September 21, 2021
The Story of the U.S. Capitol's South Summerhouse
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