View of the north congressional stand under construction for the 2021 inauguration.
View of the north congressional stand under construction for the 2021 inauguration.

Presidential inaugural ceremonies are one of the most well-known of the numerous official events held at the U.S. Capitol. The AOC builds the inaugural platform on the U.S. Capitol's West Front, sets up the seating and fencing on the grounds, and coordinates other activities with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

While many of us may have picked up drills, hammers and nails for personal home improvement projects during the pandemic, it'd be hard to match the number of materials needed to set the stage for one of our country's most cherished traditions.

Much goes into the presidential inauguration; here are a few numbers that help make that special day possible.

By The Numbers: 2021 Inaugural Platform. (Numbers in body copy on the page below.)
  • ZERO lost time injuries and 0 recordable injuries
  • 177 tons (234,000 pounds) of sand to fill the West Front fountain
  • 1,244 gallons of paint
  • 3,424 structural connectors
  • 430 sheets of foam insulation for protection of existing surfaces
  • 1,363 sheets of plywood = 43,616 square feet = acre+
  • 17,900 construction man hours; 5,600 hours for the post-inauguration dismantle
  • 160,000 pounds of scaffolding and bleaches
  • 552,700 nails
  • 357 concrete masonry units for the foundation
  • 20,160 pounds of grout and mortar for foundations
  • 110,038 linear feet of dimensional lumber

View more photos from the construction, plus previous inaugurations, in our Flickr album.

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