Our Blog

Here at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), our challenge is unique – we must maintain aging, iconic buildings while adapting to state-of-the-art technology and increasing responsiveness to environmental, security and safety considerations in a rich historical setting.

Discover the meaning behind the Car of History Clock in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall. This marble sculpture, created in 1819, is among the oldest works of art in the Capitol. It depicts Clio, the muse of History, holding a book in which she records events as they unfold.

One of the lead characters in the "Monuments Men" movie was inspired by Walker K. Hancock, an artist who contributed many works of art to the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States. Dig deeper in to this monument man's history.

The U.S. Capitol Grounds have long been a haven for wildlife, with residents ranging from squirrels to red-tailed hawks to a red fox. But sheep? If it had been left up to one Virginia farmer more than 90 years ago, flocks of sheep might be spotted grazing on the grounds today.

While there may not be an exact "completion date" for our U.S. Capitol Building, there is one day that truly stands out in its history — December 2, 1863, when the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the Capitol Dome 150 years ago, effectively completing the Capitol Dome that we still see today.

Long before the advent of social media and blogs – there were journals. 150 years ago this month saw one of the most transformative periods in the construction of the U.S. Capitol. One individual captured these events both as a witness, and as participant, capturing first-hand details of moments that shaped history.

This is the first in a series of occasional articles, written by the Architect of the Capitol’s Curator Office, about the use of nature in the art and architecture of the U.S. Capitol. This week, they focus on the elements in the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome.

Andria Leo, archivist for the Architect of the Capitol, discovered historical documents showing the purchase of the first bike racks on Capitol Hill.

Stephen T. Ayers, eleventh Architect of the Capitol, remembers one of the major players in the U.S. Capitol's history: Charles Bulfinch, third Architect of the Capitol. Bulfinch was responsible for designing the U.S. Capitol's first dome, which was made of wood and copper.

The Library Buildings and Grounds Elevator Division of the Architect of the Capitol runs some of the oldest elevator systems on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Adapting to new technologies, while still maintaining antique systems, is one of the AOC elevator mechanics' unique skills.

Most visitors are drawn to admire the obvious "big ticket" items at the U.S. Capitol Building – the Rotunda paintings, the acoustics in National Statuary Hall, the Statue of Freedom. Here are a few U.S. Capitol details you might NOT have noticed.

Too hot or too cold – there is no pleasing everyone when it comes to the right temperature in the office. While today the Architect of the Capitol provides a climate-controlled environment to the buildings of Capitol Hill, two centuries ago this wasn't the case.

See how a team of tradecrafts experts at the Architect of the Capitol transform an office in the Cannon House Office Building into a completely wheelchair-accessible suite in less than four weeks. The condensed timeframe required precise planning and coordination efforts.

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.