Delve deeper into the stories behind the people, art, history and grounds.

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Behind the Scenes

Summer Interns Gain Experience for Future Seasons of Their Careers

From carpentry and photography to clerking and gardening, the AOC internship program exposes students to a host of opportunities within the federal government.
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Projects

Restoring Grant's Glory

By Laura Condeluci | April 27, 2015

Because weather and time have not been kind to the Grant Memorial, AOC staff developed a preservation strategy to restore the Grant Memorial to its original condition.

Projects

Bringing Cannon Back to the Future

By Sarah Davis | April 21, 2015

High in the sky, about 50 feet above the roof, a crane is peeking out of the Cannon House Office Building. This tower crane is part of the AOC's renewal project to improve and preserve the building, making it more efficient, comfortable and safer, while retaining its historic grandeur.

History & Discoveries

The Lincoln Catafalque in the U.S. Capitol

By Curator Division | 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.

Projects

Expert Metalwork Revealed in Restoration of the U.S. Capitol Dome

By AOC Staff | April 10, 2015

Many ornamental and functional cast iron parts of the U.S. Capitol Dome are so broken and badly damaged that they cannot be repaired on site. For the restoration, we traveled to the Salt Lake City foundry to see firsthand how the work to re-create these pieces is done.

Programs & Events

2014 Christmas Tree Selection

By Ted Bechtol | October 29, 2014

During beautiful summer days, AOC's Superintendent of the Capitol Grounds traveled around Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota, to search for and select the perfect 2014 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Capitol Christmas Tree. The criteria includes height, shape and other characteristics.

Doing Good

Doing Good: Richard Edmonds

By Erin Nelson | October 22, 2014

This doing good story is of an AOC engineering technician who volunteers within his Davidsonville, Maryland, community. As a member of Riva Trace Baptist Church and volunteer for their community projects, including their food pantry, he has helped hundreds of families.

Behind the Scenes

AOC Employees ExCEL in New Programs

By Erin Nelson | October 16, 2014

While the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) core mission is to preserve the buildings in our care, we realize that to be successful, preserving knowledge is just as important as preserving the buildings.

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.

Behind the Scenes

AOC Bike Commuters: In Their Own Words

By Kristen Frederick | October 1, 2014

The Architect of the Capitol employees who commute to the United States Capitol campus via bike have formed a group to promote cycling to fellow AOC employees. Read their thoughts and advice on commuting to work via bicycle, including bike safety.

Projects

Crumbling Down and Building Up

By Matt Guilfoyle | September 29, 2014

Addressing the stone pandemic across the Capitol campus takes a team of historic preservationists, structural engineers and stonemasons, among others.

Behind the Scenes

National Garden Highlights Regional Plants and Sustainable Practices

By Matt Guilfoyle | May 12, 2014

Whether you want inspiration and information for your garden, want to learn about the importance of pollinators or simply want to take a scenic nature walk steps from the U.S. Capitol — the U.S. Botanic Garden's National Garden in Washington, D.C., is a treasure for everyone.

Programs & Events

Meet the Carillonneur of the Capitol

By Erin Nelson | May 8, 2014

The United States Capitol's Carillonneur at the Taft Memorial has perhaps one of the most unique and least visible jobs on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. What's a carillon? Think of it as a big keyboard instrument made out of bells. Fun fact: it's played annually on the Fourth of July.