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Take a look back at the U.S. Capitol's baking operations during the Civil War. When Congress was not in session, the House and Senate Chambers were used to house troops, the Rotunda became a makeshift hospital and bakeries were created in the basement and terraces in the center of the building.

Why change our clocks twice a year, spring forward and fall back? The idea of saving the daylight goes back centuries. The Capitol Visitor Center hosted a workshop to think about these issues and learn about Congress' role in time including the Standard Time Act of 1918 and the Uniform Time Act.

Not all internships are created equal. The Architect of the Capitol strives to make the intern experience substantive, challenging and rewarding. And that philosophy was evident during the piloting of the AOC's new work-for-credit intern program in the House Office Buildings.

Two pieces of art featuring George Washington have a special connection to Stephen Ayers' time serving as Architect of the Capitol. One is a sculpture in the Old Senate Chamber and the other, a portrait by William Dunlap, is one of the oldest works of art in the U.S. Capitol.

Imagery of the lion is well-represented in the art and architectural details of the U.S. Capitol campus in Washington, D.C. Historically, lions were used in architectural ornamentation to provide a sense of strength, majesty and awe, especially on public buildings.

This year's snow removal training exercise included a friendly competition between offices and jurisdictions on a new piece of equipment.

Lying in State or in Honor calls for coordination across the campus, and the solemnity of the event requires a commitment to excellence to ensure no detail is overlooked.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, orchids showcase a wide spectrum of diversity in color, shape, size, habitat, scent and many other aspects.

The Capitol Visitor Center runs educational programs for classes nearly 50 times between October and February, serving nearly 1,500 students.

All around the U.S. Capitol campus, there is something that you cannot avoid seeing as you look at the historic buildings: stone. Stone preservation will continue to be a priority of the Architect of the Capitol as the best way to maintain these buildings is to constantly monitor them.

Before we dive into 2018, here's a look back at some of this year's highlights.

One of the Architect of the Capitol's strategic goals is to foster an innovative and empowered workforce. Here are a few examples of what that looks like in day-to-day operations at the AOC from a team in the House Office Buildings and from the Capitol Grounds crew.

The cornucopia, a traditional symbol of the Thanksgiving holiday, appears in a variety of places in the U.S. Capitol including the Rotunda and Brumidi Corridors.

To mark the centennial of the U.S. entering World War I, Library Buildings and Grounds staff recreated period-appropriate "War Gardens."

Finding "the one" is pretty similar whether you're searching for true love or the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Follow along as AOC's Superintendent of the Capitol Grounds travels during the summer to Kootenai National Forest in northwest Montana and selects the 2017 tree.