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Crowd in stands.
Behind the Scenes

Article

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

Article

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

Article

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

Article

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

Article

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
Exterior view of a building.
Behind the Scenes

Article

In Pictures: A Green Roof Comes Alive

By Curator Division
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In 2011, the 7,200 square foot middle section of the Dirksen Senate Office Building roof was replaced with a green roof. What had previously been an unusable outdoor tennis court was transformed by plantings called sedums, which is a drought-resistant plant that stays green all year long. Installing
Person in front of the United States of America flag.

Person

Sherri D. Jordan

By Sarah Davis
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The Chief Financial Officer oversees the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) billion-dollar budget as well as provides stewardship over its financial resources that sustain the financial operation needs of the offices/jurisdictions and central services of the AOC.
Photo of a person lying on a desk.
History & Discoveries

Article

AOC Trailblazer: Georgia Shaw

By Kristen Frederick
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I learned of Georgia Shaw's amazing story when her daughter, Rebecca Shaw, reached out to us on the Architect of the Capitol's Facebook page. I was immediately intrigued when Rebecca said that the AOC logo had been put on Georgia's memorial plaque after she died. What I discovered, however, is that
Painted portrait of Edward Clark, Fifth Architect of the Capitol.

Person

Edward Clark

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Appointed August 30, 1865; Died in office, January 6, 1902 Edward Clark was appointed Architect of the Capitol Extension in 1865 to fill the vacancy caused by Thomas U. Walter's resignation. Under way for over 14 years, the interior of the U.S. Capitol extension was at this point complete, and only
Person wearing a bike helmet in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Doing Good

Article

Doing Good: Riding and Raising for Research and Treatment

By Kristen Frederick
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1 bike. 2 days. 190 miles. More than $11,000. Like many people, Franklin Bradley's life has been touched by cancer. When he was 16 years old, his father, Loren Bradley, died of a brain tumor. Franklin's uncle also passed away after battling mesothelioma (cancer that originates in the lining of
Group of four people.
Doing Good

Article

Discovering the Joys of Teaching — and Learning

By Kristen Frederick
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"Hey, AOC Lady!" Greetings such as these ring out at Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) High School in Northeast Washington, D.C., whenever Mary Jean Pajak, management analyst for AOC's Business Transformation Division, comes to visit. Her efforts have resulted in the AOC being
Painting of people in a room.
History & Discoveries

Article

Presidents in Art

By Curator Division
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Hardly a week goes by in which a visitor touring the Capitol doesn't ask one of the Visitor Services staff, "Where does the president sleep?" The Capitol is, to be sure, a large, white, monumental structure in Washington, D.C., but it is not the president's residence. The Capitol and the White House
Person in front of the United States of America flag.

Person

Aaron D. Altwies

By Sarah Davis
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The Chief Security Officer is responsible for the agency's security programs and infrastructure, interagency emergency preparedness, continuity of operations, and the management and operation of the buildings, grounds and security enhancements supporting the U.S. Capitol Police.
Person in front of the United States of America flag.

Person

Telora Dean

By Sarah Davis
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The Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for providing administrative and business support and overseeing the following AOC organizations: AOC University; Curator Division; Equal Employment Opportunity Division; Human Capital Management Division; Information Technology Division; Office
People working on a tree.
Programs & Events

Article

A Holiday Tradition: AOC Trims the Tree

By Lori Taylor
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The hanging of the Capitol Christmas Tree lights is the job of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Capitol Grounds Division. "When the lights of the Capitol Christmas Tree are finally turned on, everyone has that 'ahh' moment," says Tree Surgeon Supervisor George Rollins. Rollins has served with the
AOC Industrial Mechanics Jeff Weiskott and Derek Matthews
Behind the Scenes

Article

Industrial Mechanics: Behind the Scenes, but not Waiting in the Wings

By Franklin Bradley
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Equivalent in size to six Empire State Buildings, the buildings of the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court must be operational at all times to ensure the continuity of our democracy. Maintaining them at the highest level possible demands the best effort of the employees of the Architect of the Capitol
Painted portrait of Thomas Ustick Walter, Fourth Architect of the Capitol.

Person

Thomas Ustick Walter

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Appointed June 11, 1851; Resigned May 26, 1865. Thomas U. Walter's plans for the enlargement of the U.S. Capitol were approved by President Millard Fillmore and he was appointed Architect of the Capitol Extension in 1851. While he oversaw the construction of new marble wings, the commissioner of
Person standing using a water sprayer.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Set in Stone—How the AOC Honors Historic Preservation

By Kristen Frederick
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As the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and neither was the U.S. Capitol and its surrounding buildings and grounds. Since Congress first met in the Capitol in 1800, the building has undergone dramatic expansion as the size of the nation has increased. In the center of it all is the U.S
Group of people standing with statues.
Behind the Scenes

Article

A New Home for a Capitol Treasure

By Kristen Frederick
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It took both brawn and brains to move a beautiful (and hefty) treasure when the Magna Carta display was moved from the Capitol Rotunda to its new home in the Capitol Crypt. In August, the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Capitol Building Mason Shop, with the support of a rigging company, spent 14 ½
Black and white photo of the Capitol Power Plant's interior.
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Power Plant: A Century of Service

By AOC Staff
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The Capitol Power Plant has undergone significant changes as new buildings were built, and more modern and efficient equipment was installed, but what hasn't changed is the commitment of the staff. The plant's staff are highly-skilled and extremely dedicated — many have worked there for decades.
Painted portrait of Charles Bulfinch, Third Architect of the Capitol

Person

Charles Bulfinch

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Appointed by President James Monroe and the Commissioner of Public Buildings, January 8, 1818; Office abolished June 25, 1829. Charles Bulfinch was hired by the commissioner of public buildings in 1818 to replace Benjamin Henry Latrobe. He continued the restoration of the two wings, which were
Russell Senate Office Building 2010
Projects

Article

100 Year-Old Russell Senate Office Building: Getting Some "Work Done"

By AOC Staff
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The Russell Senate Office Building is looking really good for its age but, to keep it in tip-top condition, the Architect of the Capitol spent some time studying the building's exterior in preparation to clean, repair and restore the exterior envelope of this historic building.
Two people crouching.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Dome Keepers

By Matt Guilfoyle
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Since that time nearly 150 years ago, while the Union was restored, multiple forces have been unrelenting in their attack on the Capitol—time, weather, and nature. Today, a small unit of men has the task of protecting and preserving this most important American icon. Led by Bryan Glotfelty and
Painted portrait of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Second Architect of the Capitol.

Person

Benjamin Henry Latrobe

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Hired by President Thomas Jefferson, March 6, 1803; construction halted by July 1, 1811; Hired by President James Madison, April 6, 1815; Resigned November 20, 1817. Benjamin Henry Latrobe was hired by President Jefferson in 1803 to fill the position of "Surveyor of Public Buildings," with the
Washington

Person

Dr. William Thornton

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Design selected by President George Washington, 1793; appointed a commissioner of the federal city by President Washington, 1794, and served until 1802. Dr. William Thornton was an amateur architect who is honored as the "first architect" because his design for the U.S. Capitol was accepted by