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Elliott Woods, 6th Architect of the Capitol
Behind the Scenes

Article

Elliott Woods: Superintendent, Experimenter, Operatic Composer... Kazoo Player?

By Kristen Frederick
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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
An Architect of the Capitol employee holds radishes in front of a War Garden sign.
Public Notice

Article

War Garden at the Library of Congress

By AOC Staff
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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
Ducklings using the special duck ramps at the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
History & Discoveries

Article

Three Quacks for Union Square Duck Ramps

By Erin Courtney
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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.
Group accepting the 2017 John Russell Pope Award for Historic Preservation.
Public Notice

Article

2017 John Russell Pope Award

By AOC Staff
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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
Painting of people.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Family Connections at the Capitol

By Wayne Kehoe
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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
AOC's Joel Evans standing with the Supreme Court Building in the background.
Doing Good

Article

A Supreme Choice for Developing Area Youth

By Sarah Davis
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What started as a boy's after-school project request has turned into a man's mission.
Lunette above a door of the modern-day Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, Benjamin Franklin

By Erin Courtney
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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
Senate Park Fountain
History & Discoveries

Article

By the Numbers: Senate Fountain

By Andrew Dentamaro
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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
James Madison Memorial Building
History & Discoveries

Article

Then & Now: Madison Building

By Franklin Bradley
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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
Preparation for spring on Capitol grounds.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Falling Into Spring

By Erin Courtney
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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. Ted Bechtol, Capitol
One of 330 Capitol Hill elevators maintained by the AOC.
History & Discoveries

Article

Historic Firsts: Capitol Hill Elevators

By Erin Nelson
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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
Blue heron carved in stone at the focal point, the central fountain, in the perimeter wall surrounding Capitol Square.
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: Design with Purpose

By Stephen T. Ayers
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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
Portrait of a person standing.
Behind the Scenes

Article

A Woman's Perspective: Turning Challenges into Opportunities and Personal Growth

By Deatra Trinidad
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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.
Women are integral members of the Dome Restoration Project
Behind the Scenes

Article

Women's History Month: Christine A. Merdon

By Erin Courtney
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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
Visitors to Capitol Grounds rest beneath a Willow Oak tree.
Public Notice

Article

U.S. Capitol Grounds is Now an Accredited Arboretum

By AOC Staff
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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
AOC architect Eugene Poole teaches a class on "The Five Orders of Architecture" to students at Phelps High School.
Public Notice

Article

2017 Phelps School Award

By AOC Staff
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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
2016 carved into a column capital during the Capitol Exterior Preservation project's stone work.
Behind the Scenes

Article

A Sweet 2016

By Sarah Davis
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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
Epicatanthe Volcano Trick Orange Fire Orchid
Programs & Events

Article

Take Five: The U.S. Botanic Garden

By Devin Dotson
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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
Stone sculpture.
Projects

Article

It's About Time

By Franklin Bradley
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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.
The work of the Capitol Building's Insulation Division is as "behind the scenes" as you can get.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Behind the Scenes: Jack of All Trades

By Erin Nelson
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The work of the Capitol Building's Insulation Division is as "behind the scenes" as you can get. In addition to installing insulation, the shop also supports other divisions in its jurisdiction by performing dust control and hazardous materials abatement work in the Capitol Building and Capitol
A portico of tall Corinthian columns gives the Supreme Court Building a monumental entrance.
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: A Progression of the Imagination

By Stephen T. Ayers
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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
Russell Jones of the AOC Construction Division demonstrates a cool tool for applying grout to the Olmsted wall.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: Squaring Off With History

By Franklin Bradley
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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
Two adults and two children standing in front of a plane.
Doing Good

Article

Modern-Day Superhero

By Justin Kieffer
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Brian Roberson volunteers with Angel Flight Soars, working to transport cancer patients and others to treatment centers.
The U.S. Capitol Dome's cupola at night.
Public Notice

Article

Capitol Dome Successfully Restored

By AOC Staff
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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.
Two people walking outside.
Programs & Events

Article

An Idaho Gem to Grace Capitol Lawn

By Ted Bechtol
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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
Group of people wearing safety vests and hard hats.
Public Notice

Article

Architect of the Capitol Attaches Final Ornament to the U.S. Capitol Dome

By AOC Staff
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The Honorable Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, Architect of the Capitol, joined members of the Dome Restoration team to attach the final restored ornament, a rosette, to the U.S. Capitol Dome.
Mural of people.
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Discovery

By Erin Courtney
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It's been more than 500 years since Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in search of a direct water route from Europe to Asia. He never did discover that passage, but he did stumble upon the Americas and kicked off centuries of exploration, and exploitation, of the western hemisphere
Triangle shaped sculpture.
History & Discoveries

Article

New Perspective, New Discoveries: A Close-up Look at Crawford's Progress of Civilization

By Michele Cohen, Ph.D.
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We have made some interesting discoveries about the details of the sculptures and the sources of some of the depicted figures; we discovered and solved a few puzzles, and we also came across a few mysteries that we're still working on (and we'd welcome your help!).
Preservation Day graphic with multiple images in a collage.
Public Notice

Article

Preservation Day Celebration at the U.S. Capitol

By AOC Staff
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When the 89th United States Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, it changed the way America views, treats, and shares its history. Join us for a fun-filled observation of this anniversary, and learn how the "People's House" — the Capitol — is preserved for all! Architect
Group of people standing.
Public Notice

Article

Rotunda Reopens to the Public

By AOC Staff
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The Architect of the Capitol is pleased to reopen the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda following the successful completion of its restoration. Tradesmen and experts from historic preservation officers to engineers, craftsmen and painters worked day and night to restore this hallowed space.