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The Summerhouse, obscured by the plants, vines and trees of Olmsted's original design, blends into the landscape.
History & Discoveries

Article

Olmsted's Never-Built Retreat

By Franklin Bradley
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Before it was cut from the budget, Olmsted had begun designing a south summerhouse; his sketches for it have been rediscovered.
An Architect of the Capitol street sweeper cleans up in Washington, D.C.
History & Discoveries

Article

The Architect of the Capitol Sweeps Up the Past

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When Jim Kaufmann, Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Director, happened across an 1891 street-sweeping map while going through cultural landscape reports, he had no idea how simple an old map could make caring for the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
The team found and collected seeds from the rare Glen Rose yucca (Yucca necopina), native only in a few counties in Texas.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Collecting and Growing Texas Native Plants for Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation

By Devin Dotson
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Throughout 2020 while the United States Botanic Garden was closed to the public, the Horticulture team continued stewarding its plant collection. Several Horticulture team members were paying special attention to a new batch of plants grown from seeds harvested during a plant-collecting trip to
Stone preservation on the U.S. Capitol.
Projects

Article

At the AOC, It's Always Home Improvement Time

By Justin Kieffer
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While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.
AGA Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting
Public Notice

Article

A Decade of Excellence – AOC Receives Award for 10th Year in a Row

By AOC Staff
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For the tenth consecutive year, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) received the Association of Government Accountants' (AGA) prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) for its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).
Tholos Magazine, Volume 18, Special Edition.
Public Notice

Article

Special Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
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A new special edition of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employee magazine, Tholos, is now available.
A member of the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team at work in the park above the House office buildings garage.
Behind the Scenes

Article

New Pesticide Recertification Program

By Kate Holder
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Recertifications during the COVID-19 pandemic required a new approach.
Map illustration of John Adam's route: 1. Philadelphia 2. Downingtown 3. Lancaster 4. York 5. Frederick 6. Rockville 7. Georgetown *. Final Destination: Washington, D.C.
History & Discoveries

Article

John Adams' Carriage Ride to Washington, D.C., in 1800

By Franklin Bradley
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President John Adams issued a letter to all federal agencies on May 15, 1800, directing the "removal of the public offices, clerks and papers" from the capital city of Philadelphia. In that single sentence, Adams started the final move of the U.S. government to its permanent home, the newly created
One of the four Olmsted lanterns on the west side of the U.S. Capitol Grounds, restored in 2020.
Projects

Article

Olmsted Lanterns Restoration

By Kate Holder
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The large bronze and glass lanterns are mounted on stately sandstone piers with intricately carved sandstone caps.
View of the U.S. Capitol during Sunrise in January 2019.
Behind the Scenes

Article

U.S. Capitol Clean-up

By AOC Staff
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The events of January 6 left most of the nation at a standstill, but Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees immediately went to work, restoring the building and grounds to their proper condition so that Congress could safely reconvene and inaugural preparations could get back on track.
View of the north congressional stand under construction for the 2021 inauguration.
Programs & Events

Article

By the Numbers: Presidential Inauguration 2021

By Erin Nelson
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Much goes into the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Here are a few numbers that help set the stage for this special day.
Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
History & Discoveries

Article

Honoring the U.S. Capitol Guides Buried in Congressional Cemetery

By Blake Lindsey
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In December 2019, a group from the Capitol Visitor Center Social Committee gathered at the cemetery to place markers on the graves of these guides and learn more about their lives.
Sequester Team Leader Ladislaus “Dave” Jagoda in front of the cogeneration system at the Capitol Power Plant
Behind the Scenes

Article

Capitol Power Plant Employees Power Through the Pandemic

By Kate Holder
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Showing Incredible Dedication in Uncertain Circumstances
Charles “Buddy” Greenwell III in front of “The Box.”
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: "The Box"

By Kate Holder
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What Began as a Demonstration for Kids Is Now a Unique Training Tool
Children pick beans in the Bruno Vegetable Garden at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Alabama.
Doing Good

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden Helps Urban Agriculture Programs at 28 Public Gardens Affected by COVID-19

By Devin Dotson
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Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Is All the More Important During the Pandemic
Benjamin Henry Latrobe was the second Architect of the Capitol, first hired in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson.
History & Discoveries

Article

Benjamin Henry Latrobe's Capitol Contributions

By Kate Holder
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Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the second Architect of the Capitol, is considered by many to be the "father of American architecture." Latrobe was one of the first fully trained architects in America; he helped popularize Neoclassical and Greek Revival architecture in the new nation.
A small funeral for Representative Lewis was held in the Rotunda, with social distancing measures in place.
Programs & Events

Article

John Lewis' Lying in State: A New Normal

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AOC Teams Adjusted to New Safety Protocols and Successfully Served This Unprecedented Event
Anthony Littlejohn completes the COVID-19 cleaning protocols for AOC vehicles.
Behind the Scenes

Article

COVID-19 Cleaning Protocols

By Erin Nelson
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AOC Staff Put In the Work to Keep Us Safe During COVID-19
This 1873 photograph shows how the USBG's first Conservatory had grown from a single Victorian greenhouse to this large, five-part Conservatory with 14 support greenhouses.
History & Discoveries

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden at 200: Deeply Rooted, Branching Outward

By Devin Dotson
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For 200 years, the U.S. Botanic Garden has been showcasing plants to visitors from around the globe. Originally proposed by George Washington to establish a place for Americans to learn about useful and engaging plants.
Tree in the sun.

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Olmsted Hardy Pecan

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There is one original pecan tree still living on the U.S. Capitol campus today.

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Vietnam Veterans of Minnesota Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree honoring the Vietnam Veterans of Minnesota planted by Representative Arlen Erdahl in 1982.

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Toomer's Corner Oak Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds tree to commemorate Auburn University's Toomer's Corner Oak sponsored by Rep. Dennis Ross in 2011.

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Susie Skelton Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds tree in memory of Susie Skelton, wife of Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, planted by House Leader Nancy Pelosi in 2005.

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State of Massachusetts Tree, Liberty Elm

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree planted by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to honor the state of Massachusetts.

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State of Maryland Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree planted by Senator J. Glenn Beall Jr. for the state of Maryland.

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State of Kansas Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree planted by Senator Nancy L. Kassebaum to honor the state of Kansas in 1996.

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State of Indiana Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree planted by Congressman Charles A. Halleck.

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State of Georgia Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree planted by Senator Sam Nunn for the state of Georgia in 1983.

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State of Connecticut Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds commemorative tree for the state of Connecticut sponsored by Rep. Gary A. Franks.

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Speaker Tip O'Neill Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds memorial tree to honor Speaker Thomas Philip "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. sponsored by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.