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History & Discoveries
Remembering a Law Librarian Who Forgot Nothing
John F. N. Wilkinson, who served as the Assistant Law Librarian, was known for his memory of over 80,000 books that enabled him to retrieve the correct one with "the precision of a Swiss bell-ringer."
History & Discoveries
Restoring Freedom From Historic Separations
From the time all of its pieces arrived in America in 1859, the 15,000-pound plaster Statue of Freedom has relied on many skilled hands over many generations to preserve it. But before each restoration effort, the beautiful plaster figure had to be cut into pieces. Repeatedly.
History & Discoveries
How The Capitol Crypt Got Its Name
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.
History & Discoveries
Haunted Halls of Congress: 5 Creepy Capitol Legends
Working on Capitol Hill you hear your fair share of myths, mysteries and folklore about the historic buildings and its previous (we think) inhabitants.
Comments
Great article. Thank you.
Spent four years working at the Capitol and never knew this! This is great! Thanks Erin!
A long time staffer once told me that the little closets were used to store spittoons in the old tobacco-chewing days. This was a story passed on to him.
Excellent article!! History is one of the things that makes the AOC a great place to work.
Interesting. The gnome adds a nice touch. Thank you, Erin.
Love the unique story of the Elf door. GreT story starter for young Students out there teachers. One I which I had have when I taught 4th grade.
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