Delve deeper into the stories behind the people, art, history and grounds.
Projects
At a critical time in the U.S. Capitol's evolution, there was a Capitol Bronze Shop established by Montgomery Meigs. From 1855 to 1859, the shop helped serve the needs of the Capitol Extension, a major expansion project to accommodate a growing Congress in Washington, D.C.
Some Architect of the Capitol employees are highly visible, while others work behind the scenes to preserve the awe-inspiring facilities on Capitol Hill. Go behind the scenes to learn more about the work of the Senate Office Buildings Masonry Branch beginning at 4 a.m. each morning.
Stephen Ayers, 11th Architect of the Capitol, describes how order, balance and proportion are all achieved through architecture in the Library of Congress' Main Reading Room. The Thomas Jefferson Building is one of his favorite examples of classical architecture on the U.S. Capitol Campus.
At the Architect of the Capitol, approximately 25 percent of the workforce are women who participate in a variety of jobs on the U.S. Capitol campus. Architects, lawyers, archivists, curators, engineers, gardeners, custodians, technology developers and more are all represented by female employees.
An in-depth summary of a recent renovation at the U.S. Botanic Garden's Bartholdi Park to increase accessibility and incorporate areas of sustainable landscaping including hydrology, vegetation, soil, materials and human health. The park is poised to welcome visitors from around the globe.
The Architect of the Capitol selects the annual U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in consultation with the United States Forest Service. Follow along as our Director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum travels to the Willamette National Forest in Oregon to select the 2018 tree.
While the most frequent calls from building occupants are related to climate, being successful in this line of work is about more than overcoming hot and cold conditions.
Several artifacts were passed down through Brumidi's family and given to the Architect of the Capitol over a span of years beginning around 1961. The items include a nickel-plated oval box, a Bible, a small framed photograph, a prize medal, a sterling silver fruit knife and two napkin rings.
Being at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., can be a family affair, literally! A volunteer at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center describes two pieces of U.S. Capitol art that he has a connection to through his ancestors - William Brewster and Johnathan Trumbull.
Venture outside the U.S. Capitol to explore the other buildings under the AOC's care.
The process behind the design of the 2012 Season’s Greenings holiday exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. complete with model trains and miniature replicas of buildings and memorials. Planning starts in the spring and the physical installation starts in mid-to-late October.
The Architect of the Capitol describes how he finds inspiration every day from the beautiful details of the Capitol campus.
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.
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.
Opened to the public on October 1, 2006, the National Garden is a key element of the USBG, along with the Conservatory and Bartholdi Park.