What is the "whispering gallery" in the U.S. Capitol?
The half-dome shape of National Statuary Hall produces an acoustical effect whereby, in some spots, a speaker many yards away may be heard more clearly than one closer at hand. The modern-day echoes occur in different locations from those in the 19th century, when the floor and ceiling of the hall were different.

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Marcus Whitman Statue
This statue of Marcus Whitman was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Washington in 1953. Whitman was born in 1802 and died in 1847; he is best remembered for his roles as a physician and missionary.
House Wing