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Project
The Architect of the Capitol's work to improve the accessible pathway for the Capitol campus and meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Work around the House, Senate and Library buildings is complete.
Project
Work includes cleaning of the stone and pediment sculpture, replacement of the mortar and sealants at all of the stone joints, treatment of the carved stone and pediment sculpture, replacement of stone where elements are missing or cannot be repaired, and replacement of the bird deterrent systems
Public Notice
Article
For the first time in the history of the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG), three corpse flowers ( Amorphophallus titanum ) are about to bloom at the USBG Conservatory. The plants went on display Tuesday, August 8. One of the plants is the first corpse flower to bloom that the USBG has grown from seed. The
Behind the Scenes
Article
A small and seemingly simple tool used by the Architect of the Capitol sheet metal mechanics reduces injuries by saving hands, which is why we give it two thumbs up as a cool tool. This deburring tool removes sharp edges from metal which must be custom fit to unique spaces.
History & Discoveries
Article
In 1901, Congress passed legislation to appropriate funds for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to submit plans for reconstructing the center of the U.S. Capitol , a project that included refacing the West Front in marble. As plans were being developed, Superintendent of the U.S. Capitol and
Behind the Scenes
Article
Learn how the AOC's High-Voltage team keeps the campus running.
History & Discoveries
Article
There is always a story waiting to be uncovered in the U.S. Capitol — not of politics or policy, but of the building itself. A building of such prominence and formal tradition would seem unlikely to have undergone so many changes over the decades, but our iconic U.S. Capitol continues to change to
From the Architect
Article
Walking through the Capitol campus, I frequently come across ornamentation in our buildings made from various metals. I was recently taking in the splendor of the gilded Torch of Knowledge above the Thomas Jefferson Building when my mind began wandering through the many additional decorative
History & Discoveries
Article
When British troops burned the U.S. Capitol and White House during the War of 1812, three lesser-known elements of American history came together.
Public Notice
Article
The United States Botanic Garden announces the reopening of the Children's Garden in the Conservatory. Families can enjoy the updated space, where children can explore and grow their imaginations. The garden features multiple updates including: a new platform discovery structure — a series of
Project
Mountains and Clouds , installed in the Hart Senate Office Building Atrium in 1986, was the last work of Alexander Calder (1898-1976), one of America's greatest twentieth-century sculptors. This sculpture, his only work with a separate mobile and stabile, consists of four organically shaped clouds
Person
Nominated January 6, 1997; Retired February 4, 2007. Alan M. Hantman, FAIA, was appointed Architect of the Capitol for a 10-year term in 1997 and was the first Architect of the Capitol to undergo confirmation according to new procedures established by legislation in 1989. As Architect of the Capitol
Behind the Scenes
Article
How did Elliott Woods , someone with only a high school education, become the sixth Architect of the Capitol ? Described during his lifetime as hardworking and humble, Elliott Woods can be considered an American success story. Born in 1865 during his parents' overseas trip in England, Woods began
Public Notice
Article
To mark this year's centennial of America entering the Great War, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) recreated a War Garden as it would have been during World War I. These gardens, also referred to as Victory Gardens, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences, public parks
History & Discoveries
Article
Each spring, mallard ducks return to Union Square. The male calls and female quacks echo across the rippling water and bounce off the stately statue of General Ulysses S. Grant . Families, some waiting to enter the Botanic Garden, others out for an evening stroll, watch the majestic ducks swim
Public Notice
Article
The Architect of the Capitol was recently awarded a 2017 John Russell Pope Award for Historic Preservation for the Dome Restoration Project . Augustine Angba, Tom Nowell and Chuck Badal accepted the award with employees of Historical Arts and Casting, the company responsible for recasting pieces of
Behind the Scenes
Article
Being at the Capitol can be a family affair, literally! Barry Boughton volunteers each Monday at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). Originally from Michigan, Barry was an attorney who moved to Washington, D.C. in 2001. A CVC volunteer since 2011, Barry also volunteers at the Library of Congress
Doing Good
Article
What started as a boy's after-school project request has turned into a man's mission.
Project
The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial is regularly maintained to keep it in good condition.
History & Discoveries
Article
In second grade, I read "Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia" by Margaret Cousins. The book left me enthralled by the life of one of the greatest thinkers in American history. From birth to death, Franklin led a complex and interesting life. Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, inventor, writer and
History & Discoveries
Article
One of the overlooked gems on Capitol Hill, the Senate fountain , is nestled between Union Station and the U.S. Capitol, atop the Senate upper park. A hexagonal granite monolith with high jets of water spouting from its center, the Architect of the Capitol received authorization for its construction
History & Discoveries
Article
For $75 a month, you could rent a Capitol Hill apartment across the street from the magnificent Thomas Jefferson Building in a quiet neighborhood with tree-lined brick sidewalks, broad alleys and neighbors who could be laborers, lawyers or congressmen. At least, you could 60 years ago. A view of the
History & Discoveries
Article
Spring is the season of new beginnings when the Earth seems to come to life again. But it is the year-round planning, preparation and hard work of the Capitol Grounds team that ensures buds bloom, vibrant colors delight and fragrant flowers excite the senses on Capitol Hill. Ted Bechtol , Capitol
History & Discoveries
Article
Before I started my research for this article, I had already outlined it in my head. An introduction highlighting the 160th birthday of the passenger elevator followed by a short summary of our own first passenger elevator. As I explored the history of the first Capitol Hill elevator, I soon
From the Architect
Article
As many of you know, I love birds. I made the mistake of announcing at a meeting some time ago that I occasionally listen to CDs of bird calls and songs as I drive to and from work. Most of the members of my team have made fun of me since then, while a few other bird enthusiasts have secretly come
Project
In December 2014, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) began replacing the roof and 180 skylights and upgrading the fall protection system on the Hart Senate Office Building . The roof and skylights, which were installed in 1982, had reached the end of their useful life and, over time, had allowed
Behind the Scenes
Article
The AOC's Deputy Facility Manager at the United States Supreme Court Building began her engineering career path from a love of roller coasters. Now, in an effort to give back to the community, she volunteers with school robotics competitions and at STEM type expositions.
Behind the Scenes
Article
As the mother of a teenager, Christine Merdon is, to say the least, busy. Coaching her daughter's Odyssey of the Mind Team, traveling to basketball games, planning birthday parties and more occupy her nights and weekends. During the day, she fulfills a lifelong dream of working at the Architect of
Public Notice
Article
The United States Capitol Grounds was recently named an accredited arboretum. The grounds are now listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a comprehensive list of arboreta and public gardens that have a substantial focus on woody plants for the benefit of the public, science and conservation. As a
Public Notice
Article
Eugene Poole, an architect Planning and Project Management (PPM) at Architect of the Capitol (AOC), was the keynote speaker at the Phelps Academy of Engineering 2017 Winter Celebration and was presented an award for his unwavering support of the Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High