Featured

Photograph of people walking outside on a Self-Guided Tour of Capitol Hill
Self-Guided Tours on Capitol Hill
Visitors can tour many highlights on Capitol Hill without registering.
More »

Featured

A group of visitors walking in in front of the Capitol Building
Sustainability Initiatives
Building, Infrastructure, People The Architect of the Capitol is committed to...
More »

Featured

Capitol Sunset November 2014
A Few of 2014's Favorite Things
From February's heavy snowfall to October's blood moon eclipse, take...
More »

Primary tabs

Featured

The $28,000,000 Question

By Michele Cohen, Ph.D.

Solving the mystery of numbers inscribed on a block of the Senate pediment.
Numbers found on the pediment.

Our Blog

Read about the art, architecture and work on the Capitol Hill written by AOC's experts.

Trout Lily in the U.S. Botanic Garden
U.S. Botanic Garden's Understory: Photographs of Jackie Bailey Labovitz
February 26, 2013
Photography
The U.S. Botanic Garden’s Conservation & Sustainability Horticulturist, Ray Mims, takes a look at the importance of spring ephemerals, which are featured in the Garden’s current exhibit, Understory, on display now through October 14, 2013. More »
America's Greatest Engineer?
February 20, 2013
History, Photography
Montgomery Meigs – a man who built the Capitol while helping save the Union it represents - may be America’s greatest engineer. More »
Love at the Ford Building
February 14, 2013
Buildings & Grounds, History, Photography
For 10 years, I have walked through the doors of the 3rd Street entrance to the Ford Building, never knowing that right outside those very same doors — 72 years ago — something happened that greatly influenced my life.More »
State of the Union on January 24, 2012
Supporting the State of the Union
February 8, 2013
Who We Are
Every winter, Congress has the honor of welcoming the President of the United States to the U.S. Capitol for the annual State of the Union Address. Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers reflects on the AOC's role in support this momentous event.More »
AOC General Counsel Jason Baltimore standing next to a tour of people
Meeting Jason Baltimore
February 4, 2013
Who We Are
Kristen Frederick, AOC congressional liaison, sits down with Jason Baltimore, AOC’s first African American general counsel, to discuss what brought him to the Architect of the Capitol and what opportunities lie ahead for him in his new role.More »
The figure of Liberty in the Apotheosis of George Washington is depicted wearing a Liberty Cap
The Liberty Cap in the Art of the U.S. Capitol
January 29, 2013
Art
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. More »
The AOC is responsible for nearly 600,000 square feet of windows
Windows of Capitol Hill
January 22, 2013
Architecture
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.More »
Photo of Capitol covered in snow
Capturing the Seasons
January 15, 2013
Photography
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.More »
Reduction in Energy Consumption FY 2007-2012 Graphic
AOC Achieves Annual Energy Reduction Goals
January 7, 2013
Who We Are
The Architect of the Capitol's Sustainability, Energy and Water Conservation Division is pleased to report that the AOC achieved and exceeded our annual energy reduction goal for FY 2012! This year’s goal was 21 percent and the AOC reduced its energy consumption by 22 percent. Our FY 2012 results avoided $2.7 million in utility expenses.More »
U.S. Capitol Dome and Shuttle Discovery flying by
Year in Pictures 2012
December 21, 2012
Photography
Capitol Hill 2012 in pictures - from the memorable, to the beautiful, to the solemn.More »
AOC's Sharon Gang and Senator Daniel K. Akaka
A Legacy of Service
December 17, 2012
Who We Are
Sharon Gang, Communications & Marketing Manager for the Capitol Visitor Center, reflects on her first job on Capitol Hill, and how the lessons learned there stick with her to this day.More »
Scene "Cortez and Montezuma at Mexican Temple" from the Frieze of American History in the Capitol Rotunda
Deciphering the Calendar Stone in the Capitol Rotunda
December 12, 2012
Art
AOC's Matt Guilfoyle investigates the myth of the Mayan Calendar at the U.S. Capitol.More »
U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory decorated for the holidays
Holiday Exhibit Delights from the Outside In
December 5, 2012
Buildings & Grounds
Landscape Architect Nick Nelson details the process he undertook to design the 2012 Season’s Greenings holiday exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden.More »
Capitol Visitor Center Opening Ceremony
Nearly Nine Million Visitors Later
November 30, 2012
Who We Are, Buildings & Grounds, Events
On December 2, the Capitol Visitor Center celebrates its four-year anniversary. Sharon Gang, the third member of the CVC's operations staff, reflects back to the opening four years ago. More »
Bartholdi Fountain, 40mm, 200 ISO, f/14, 5 seconds
Capturing Bartholdi Fountain
November 26, 2012
Buildings & Grounds, Photography
Each month AOC’s photography branch will break down an iconic photo of Capitol Hill and share tips and tricks for snapping beautiful images at the Capitol. This month AOC photographer Susanne Bledsoe walks us through a shot of Bartholdi Fountain in Bartholdi Park on the Capitol Grounds.More »

Pages

Printer-friendly version