Behind the Scenes
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Learn how the AOC's High-Voltage team keeps the campus running.
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History & Discoveries
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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
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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
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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
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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
Person
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.
Behind the Scenes
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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 his
Public Notice
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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
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Since its completion, the Capitol Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C, has been a popular attraction – for ducks and humans! See the ramps developed to safely and effectively assist its ducklings.
Public Notice
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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
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Being at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., can be a family affair, literally! A volunteer at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center describes two pieces of U.S. Capitol art that he has a connection to through his ancestors - William Brewster and Johnathan Trumbull.
Doing Good
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What started as a boy's after-school project request has turned into a man's mission.
History & Discoveries
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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
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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
Behind the Scenes
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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.
History & Discoveries
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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
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Stephen Ayers, 11th Architect of the Capitol, describes his love of birds and their role in the focal point of Capitol Square's perimeter wall. As one approaches the central Olmsted fountain, it's easy to sense that this is both a great place and a place of greats.
Behind the Scenes
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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
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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
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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
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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
Behind the Scenes
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This past year has been filled with many sweet moments around the Capitol campus. From big events and projects (like Capitol exterior preservation above) to behind-the-scenes stories and fun celebrations, below are 10 that stand out to me. Winter Storm Jonas Snow removal on the West Front of the
Programs & Events
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Things don't slow down just because it's winter. Below are five reasons to explore the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) this season, including tropical flowers like the Epicatanthe Volcano Trick Orange Fire orchid above. 1. See chocolate in its rawest form Cross section of a cacao (chococlate) pod. When
Projects
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Time has taken its toll on the United State Capitol's stone, but our preservation effort will restore even the finer details, hand-carved by artisans.
Behind the Scenes
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The Capitol Building's Insulation Division is as "behind the scenes" as you can get, often working within containments to ensure the safety of those who visit and work on the U.S. Capitol campus. In addition to insulation, the shop also performs dust control and hazardous materials abatement.
From the Architect
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I long for the days when we can experience all of the magnificent national treasures on Capitol Hill as they were originally imagined. The entry sequence and progression through spaces are carefully thought out by architects as buildings are designed. These experiences are very powerful and
Behind the Scenes
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Many of the tools we use around the Capitol campus are unique, historic and essential to our mission — in other words, they are cool tools! We asked employees to tell us about their coolest tools, and this feature represents our latest find. In 1873, Congress commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted to
Doing Good
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Brian Roberson volunteers with Angel Flight Soars, working to transport cancer patients and others to treatment centers.
Public Notice
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This morning, Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, announced that the first comprehensive restoration of the Capitol Dome in more than half a century is complete.
Programs & Events
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As the Superintendent of Capitol Grounds, each year I am charged with selecting the Capitol Christmas Tree. In 2016, we looked to Idaho – specifically, the Payette National Forest – and began the search with the help of the United States Forest Service (USFS). There are 2.8 million acres of forest