Delve deeper into the stories behind the people, art, history and grounds.
Projects
What started as a boy's after-school project request has turned into a man's mission. This doing good story is of an AOC Supreme Court electrician who volunteers with 4-H, a youth development organization that aims to provide young people with hands-on learning experiences.
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.
When Visitor Guide John Claya encountered a guest with a visual disability near the Old Supreme Court Chamber, he used a creative tool to help her "see" the room.
Sharon Gang, Communications & Marketing Manager for the Capitol Visitor Center, reflects back on her first job on Capitol Hill, and how the lessons learned there stick with her to this day.
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.
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.
Recognizing a few of the Monuments Men with accomplishments seen on Capitol Hill, from the outside of the buildings to the rooms and artwork within.
Each month AOC’s photography branch will break down an iconic photo of Capitol Hill and share tips and tricks for snapping beautiful images at the Capitol. This month AOC photographer Susanne Bledsoe walks us through a shot of Bartholdi Fountain in Bartholdi Park on the Capitol Grounds.
This doing good story is of an Architect of the Capitol employee who spends his days caring for the trees on the U.S. Capitol Grounds and spends his evenings are in much the same way, as he volunteers his time helping others in hopes of seeing them live longer, healthier lives.
The Senate Jurisdiction's emphasis on energy-efficient lighting was integral to meeting our agency-wide energy reduction goal.
The Cannon Renewal team is using ground penetrating radar to help workers see what's inside the concrete of the Cannon Building.
The Cannon Renewal team explores a new way of viewing drawings in the field, bringing a 21st-century approach to field coordination and quality control as a model for the future of construction.
The U.S. Capitol jurisdiction has introduced a new auto brake machine which offers an unprecedented capacity to bend metal. Electronically stored diagrams also save precious time that was previously spent sorting through hundreds of paper copies and manually recalling historical diagrams.
Recently, a group of Instagram photographers came together to explore and celebrate the United States Capitol during our second InstaMeet. The event offered a unique perspective on the building and grounds through their photography. See all of their images on Instagram with #CapitolMorning.
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.