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From the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to the Zoning Commission — the Architect of the Capitol, both individually and organizationally, has many roles that extend well beyond what most might expect.

Meet the AOC's decorative painters at the Library of Congress who work to preserve the ornate designs of one of the world's most beautiful buildings. Go behind the scenes and see the techniques used to keep the Thomas Jefferson Building looking as striking as it did when it first opened in 1897.

Venture outside the U.S. Capitol to explore the other buildings under the AOC's care.

AOC's partnership with So Others Might Eat (SOME) helps "empower people out of homelessness and poverty" with their Center for Employment Training.

Throughout the U.S. Capitol Building's more than 200 year history, many workers have labored in obscurity. Recently, we stumbled across a worker named Pringle Slight with an interesting (and largely forgotten) story.

AOC Public Affairs Officer Matt Guilfoyle watches "Lincoln" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"-- and is surprised by which film more accurately depicts the U.S. Capitol.

When walking across the Capitol Grounds there is one critter that can consistently be seen out and about – the squirrel. When did squirrels first come to Washington, D.C. and how did they end up here? Archivist Andria Leo took a look through AOC’s historical records to investigate the history of the squirrel at the Capitol.

Walk in the footsteps of the masons and laborers who worked the quarry at Government Island in Aquia, Virginia, to gather stone for the U.S. Capitol more than 200 years ago. Pierre L'Enfant purchased the area on behalf of the federal government in 1791 to build the nation's new capital city.

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.

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.

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.

AOC Photographer Chuck Badal gives a behind the scenes look at how some of his favorite photos of the Capitol were captured — from the roof of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Sharon Gang, Communications & Marketing Manager for the Capitol Visitor Center, reflects back on her first job on Capitol Hill, and how the lessons learned there stick with her to this day.

The Mayan Calendar has drawn a lot of attention lately, largely surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. This story investigates a lesser-known scene in "The Frieze of American History" by Constantino Brumidi in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

December 2 has been an important anniversary at the U.S. Capitol since 1863 when the final section of the Statue of Freedom was installed atop the dome. The date has signified another important anniversary since 2008 when the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center opened for business.