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History & Discoveries

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B.B. French – Blogger Extraordinaire

By Matt Guilfoyle
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Long before the advent of social media and blogs – there were journals. 150 years ago this month saw one of the most transformative periods in the construction of the U.S. Capitol. One individual captured these events both as a witness, and as participant, capturing first-hand details of moments
History & Discoveries

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Nature at the Capitol - The Statue of Freedom

By Curator Division
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The architecture of ancient Greece and Rome that inspired the United States Capitol’s early architects and builders is noted for the sense of solidity and permanence conveyed through its symmetrical, balanced arrangement of carefully proportioned columns, cornices, vaults, pediments and other
History & Discoveries

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From the Archives: Bike Racks on Capitol Hill

By Curator Division
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Architect of the Capitol archives reveal historical documents showing the purchase of the first bike racks on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Back in 1896, the Lawn Cycle Stand Manufacturing Co. was hired by the AOC to provide bike stands for the United States Capitol Building. Parking in
History & Discoveries

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Keeping History in Perspective

By Stephen T. Ayers
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In 2013 as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol's current cast iron dome, I think it's also important to remember the Capitol's humble roots in the early years of the nation's budding democracy. The man behind the Capitol's original wood and
Behind the Scenes

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Rising High – AOC's Elevator Mechanics

By Lori Taylor
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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.
History & Discoveries

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Five Items Not to Miss at the U.S. Capitol

By CVC Staff
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Most visitors are drawn to admire the obvious "big ticket" items at the U.S. Capitol Building – the Rotunda paintings, the acoustics in National Statuary Hall, the Statue of Freedom. Here are a few U.S. Capitol details you might NOT have noticed.
History & Discoveries

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Constructing the Capitol: The Oven

By Matt Guilfoyle
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Too hot or too cold – there is no pleasing everyone when it comes to the right temperature in the office. While today the Architect of the Capitol provides a climate-controlled environment to the buildings of Capitol Hill, two centuries ago this wasn't the case.
Behind the Scenes

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Teaming Up for Accessibility

By Kristen Frederick
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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.
Behind the Scenes

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The Many Hats of the AOC from A to Z

By Matt Guilfoyle
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The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) plays a leadership role in decisions from the policing of Capitol Hill; to national standards of historic preservation; to supporting development of industry standards in fire safety, capital project management and security infrastructure. AOC's involvement falls
Painted portrait of Elliott Woods, Sixth Architect of the Capitol

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Elliott Woods

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Elliott Woods was appointed "Superintendent of the Capitol Building and Grounds" to fill the vacancy caused by Edward Clark's death.
Behind the Scenes

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Inspired by the Past, Preserving for the Future

By Lori Taylor
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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.
Behind the Scenes

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Beyond the Dome – Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center

By Erin Nelson
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The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is responsible for managing all of the buildings and grounds on Capitol Hill, but it also maintains several facilities across the National Capital Region. One such facility is the Library of Congress Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center
Doing Good

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Moving Offices. Improving Lives.

By Franklin Bradley
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"You've got to shine," says Tony Blue, a woodcrafter's helper working for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) through a partnership with So Others Might Eat (SOME). "That's what our SOME instructor told us — be on your best, do your best and always try to learn something different." So Others Might
Black and white photo.
History & Discoveries

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A "Slight" Capitol Contribution

By Kristen Frederick
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Throughout the U.S. Capitol Building's more than 200 year history, many workers have labored in obscurity. Recently, we stumbled across a worker named Pringle Slight with an interesting (and largely forgotten) story.
History & Discoveries

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More Historically Accurate: Lincoln or Vampire Hunter?

By AOC Staff
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AOC Public Affairs Officer Matt Guilfoyle watches "Lincoln" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" — and is surprised by which film more accurately depicts the U.S. Capitol.
History & Discoveries

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A Cornerstone of American History

By Matt Guilfoyle
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Walk in the footsteps of the masons and laborers who worked the quarry at Government Island in Aquia, Virginia, to gather stone for the U.S. Capitol more than 200 years ago.
History & Discoveries

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America's Greatest Engineer?

By Matt Guilfoyle
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For an organization known as the Architect of the Capitol – celebrating engineers may not be without controversy. But as a communication professional, I am neutral in the timeless "battle" between these two professions. And, in truth, America's greatest buildings could not have been built without
History & Discoveries

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Windows of Capitol Hill

By Stephen T. Ayers
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"Even at the United Nations, where legend has it that the building was designed so that there could be no corner offices, the expanse of glass in individual offices is said to be a dead giveaway as to rank. Five windows are excellent, one window not so great." – Enid Nemy Recently I was honored to
Behind the Scenes

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Capturing the Seasons

By Curator Division
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AOC Photographer Chuck Badal gives a behind the scenes look at how some of his favorite photos of the Capitol were captured — from the roof of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
Behind the Scenes

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A Legacy of Service

By Sharon Gang
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You never forget your first real job. A good one, with a good mentor, can ingrain work habits that will be carried with you throughout your career. My first job after college was on Capitol Hill working as a staff assistant for then-Rep. Daniel K. Akaka. At the end of the 112th Congress, now-Senator
History & Discoveries

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Deciphering the Calendar Stone in the Capitol Rotunda

By Matt Guilfoyle
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Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Matt Guilfoyle investigates the myth of the Mayan Calendar at the U.S. Capitol. The Mayan Calendar has drawn a lot of attention lately, largely surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. It has even drawn focus to a lesser-known image in " The Frieze of American
Behind the Scenes

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Capturing Bartholdi's Fountain

By Curator Division
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Architect of the Capitol (AOC) photographer Susanne Bledsoe walks us through a shot of the "Fountain of Light and Water" in Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
Programs & Events

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Capturing Autumn

By Curator Division
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Michael Dunn, Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) chief of photography, draws upon his many years of experience to share tips for photographing the U.S. Capitol Grounds in fall.
The Capitol Dome at night, as seen behind one of the East Front Olmsted fountains.
Behind the Scenes

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While You Were Sleeping – AOC Masons at Work

By Lori Taylor
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Masons working at the Architect of the Capitol get the campus ready for another day before the rest of the employees on Capitol Hill even wake. They have a small window of time very early in the day to complete any tasks that may interfere with visitors or the work of staff.
Behind the Scenes

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The Accessible Capitol Visitor Center

By Sharon Gang
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Although my disability from knee surgery is temporary, it has given me the opportunity to see Capitol Hill from a different perspective. Never have I appreciated the Capitol's consistently functioning escalators and elevators more than over the past month. From the elevators that take me from the
Crowd in stands.
Behind the Scenes

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One Team, One Mission, One Day

By Sharon Gang
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Presidential inaugural ceremonies at the United States Capitol take a team effort to pull together, and planning for the event begins as soon as the previous Inauguration ends. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Architect of the Capitol's role in this event.
Behind the Scenes

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Saving Life & Limb: AOC Arborists

By Franklin Bradley
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Year round, I often notice Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees perched high in the trees above. I love the large, beautiful trees across Capitol Hill—they are longest standing witnesses of the history of this campus, from the burning of the Capitol by the British to the sculpting of the current
Behind the Scenes

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Master Illusionists of Capitol Hill

By Matt Guilfoyle
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Turning wood into marble, metal into wood, one dimensional into three dimensional; these are all "tricks" of the trade for the painters of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). "We make a lot of things look like something they are not," said Cori Wright, assistant supervisor painter and decorator for
Drawing of a room full of people.
History & Discoveries

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Path to Capitol During the Civil War

By Matt Guilfoyle
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As a professional commuter, every day I enter my "bubble" – looking at my phone, listening to music, reading my Kindle – as I travel from my home in Bristow, Virginia, to my office at the U.S. Capitol. It is easy to forget to look-up and appreciate that in a single morning commute on the Virginia
People standing around a bust.
History & Discoveries

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Meeting a Capitol Artist

By Sharon Gang
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Two new bookmarks I worked on for the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) celebrate Constantino Brumidi, the artist who painted the Apotheosis of Washington in the eye of the Capitol Rotunda and murals throughout the Capitol. I brought a few to my Mom, who is an accomplished artist, and encouraged her to