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The historic relationship between the Cannon Building and its landscape has been restored with a central green space usable for the first time since the 1950s.
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Initially designed in 1929 by William E. Parsons, of the Chicago firm of Bennett, Parsons and Frost, the grounds were planned with the clear purpose of providing a gracious, functional and formal link between the U.S. Capitol and Union Station. Parsons' plan was carefully considered with a spatial
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Image Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens Created in 1932 when the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) was relocated, the park was renamed in 1985 after the sculptor of the historic " Fountain of Light and Water " located at its center, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi—later famous for the Statue of Liberty. Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens …
Bartholdi Gardens serves as a home landscape demonstration garden and showcases innovative plant combinations in a variety of styles and design themes.
Behind the Scenes
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Put Things in Context Image A view of the U.S. Capitol on a cloudy day. There are numerous spots around campus that are perfect for capturing stunning and impactful photos. The Olmsted fountains and planters along the East Plaza of the U.S. Capitol Building, the Summerhouse , the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial and the Capitol Reflecting Pool are some of the most popular sites. Each location offers photographers the opportunity to capture the unique contrast of colorful flora and formal …
See the Capitol campus through the eyes of an AOC Photographer.
Projects
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More than 140 years later, the Architect of the Capitol's Summerhouse still offers visitors respite. Recent maintenance efforts will help keep the site around for repeat visitors and first timers alike.
Behind the Scenes
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Take a stroll through our pictorial tour to experience the beauty of these unique garden beds and meet a few members of the jurisdiction's Gardening team that work hard year-round to keep the Capitol campus looking beautiful.
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The fountain in the center of the building originally provided drinking water piped from a spring. The six small metal fittings around the fountain's upper perimeter secured chains that are believed to have held drinking cups or ladles. Three individual drinking fountains connected to the filtered city water supply now provide drinking water, and the central fountain is used only for display. The water supply for the grotto was originally provided by a runoff stream from a drinking fountain at the Capitol's west entrance. Later, a city-water stream was made to flow …
Construction on the Summerhouse began in 1879 and was completed in late 1880 or early 1881 by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
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Some of Olmsted's significant hardscape elements can be found on the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol . Restoration and modernization work was completed as part of the building of the Capitol Visitor Center . The fountains and lanterns are fully modernized , and new technologies, such as the fountain's water pressure levels, are tied to an anemometer that lowers the water pressure as winds rise. The terrace walls that wrap around the Capitol to the north, west and south are constructed largely of Lee Massachusetts …
In 1874, Frederick Law Olmsted was charged with devising a comprehensive landscape scheme for the U.S. Capitol. Olmsted's major concern was the visual presentation of the Capitol Building and the support of its daily functions.
Public Notice
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The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory reopened to the public today, April 1, marking a full reopening of all areas of the USBG.
History & Discoveries
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By Sarah Davis | June 20, 2018 History & Discoveries Calm and Collected Waters Fountains and formal pools of water abound on the U.S. Capitol campus in Washington, D.C. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental tranquility and Summer officially starts this week and the weather in Washington, D.C., is getting warmer. While water features …
Summer officially starts this week and the weather in Washington, D.C., is getting warmer. While water features on the U.S. Capitol campus look cool and refreshing, they aren't designed for humans to play in. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental
History & Discoveries
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3 ... Image The fountain consists of three separate components: the main basin, lower level basins and the reflecting pool. From the basin, the water is piped underground to three sculpted stone bubbler fountains in the north wall of the terrace. From there the water is again piped underground to the lower level of the reflecting pool. 6 ... Image Number of lion-head spouts on the faces of the hexagon main basin. Water streams into a large circular basin with a scalloped stone rim, over which water spill …
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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Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or pool. Popular water features near the U.S. Capitol include Bartholdi Fountain , Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park fountains and the Neptune Fountain , but below are eight others to know around the campus. 1. Skylight Reflecting Pools On the Capitol Building 's east front plaza, two identical pools are installed. The center of each acts as a glass skylight for the Capitol Visitor Center complex located beneath. Image …
There are more than 20 water features that Architect of the Capitol employees care for. Spanning across the Capitol campus, each of the House office buildings, Senate office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, Supreme Court buildings and the U.S. Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or
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The Library of Congress began in 1800 with a small appropriation to buy reference books and was originally housed in the U.S. Capitol's west center building.
Behind the Scenes
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"Our gardeners pull, till and amend more than 160 flower beds and plant springtime bulbs. Our maintenance shop is busy hauling materials for the gardeners, cleaning and making repairs to fountains, and servicing the Capitol Reflecting Pool . And our tree care specialists are preparing recently planted campus trees to not only survive cold weather but thrive in the warmer months," said Bechtol. Image Ralph LoJacono, Supervisor of the Gardening Division, is constantly watching the weather, the …
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.
Programs & Events
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During your visit, learn about the many memorial and commemorative trees, statuary and historic fountains while reducing your carbon footprint. Image Image Image The AOC's Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team showcases environmentally friendly options of gardening including an electric bike for efficient transportation and operations. At home, try to use eco-friendly modes of transportation like walking, …
At the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team works hard to promote green and sustainable practices around the Capitol campus.
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Many of the trees on the grounds bear plaques that identify their species and their historic significance. The eastern part of the grounds contains the greatest number of historic and commemorative trees. At the East Capitol Street entrance to the Capitol Plaza are two large rectangular stone fountains. The bottom levels now contain plantings, but at times in the past they have been used to catch the spillover from the fountains. At other times, both levels have held plantings. Six massive red granite lamp piers topped with light fixtures in wrought-iron cages and 16 smaller bronze light fixtures …
The grounds immediately surrounding the U.S. Capitol are bordered by a stone wall and cover an area of 58.8 acres. Its boundaries are Independence Avenue on the south, Constitution Avenue on the north, First Street NE/SE on the east, and First Street NW/SW on the west.
History & Discoveries
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He called the fountains Olmsted built on the east side of the U.S. Capitol, "a couple of Dutch spittoons." Beck had likely seen the Summerhouse before it was blended into its surroundings. While it was under construction, the entire brick building was visible. Much of the completed structure would be covered by soil that …
Before it was cut from the budget, Olmsted had begun designing a south summerhouse; his sketches for it have been rediscovered.
Programs & Events
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Much goes into the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Here are a few numbers that help set the stage for this special day.
Programs & Events
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Members of our trade teams showcased their expertise in electrical systems, masonry, sheet metal, woodcrafting and painting. The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team highlighted the Olmsted Plan and the gorgeous features of the grounds, from living trees and plants to historic fountains and walls. The United States Botanic Garden team encouraged visitors to participate in a wide variety of activities. Attendees also got a sneak peek at one of the agency's largest construction projects, the Cannon Renewal . Capitol Hill Day was a success. Adult, Family and Youth Program Coordinator …
The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.
Public Notice
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Capitol Grounds , a delightful design he used to accentuate the U.S. Capitol Building. In his submission for the Architect of the Capitol's annual report, Olmsted wrote, "the ground is in design part of the Capitol, but in all respects subsidiary to the central structure." Olmsted incorporated hardscapes – fountains, lanterns, lamps, walkways and terrace walls – into his plan for the U.S. Capitol Grounds. He also was very careful and deliberate with his placement of trees to afford attractive views of the U.S. Capitol. Olmsted explained his aesthetic, and the central role of trees in it, in an 1882 essay, in …
Two original Olmsted trees will be removed for safety reasons this spring.
From the Architect
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This sense of order and balance are comforting to me. I hope you're able to take in some of the finer details around our beautiful campus this spring as the flowers and fountains burst to life. Stephen T. Ayers is the 11th Architect of the Capitol. … 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 …
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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Image Donald Kline removes failing caulking from the Russell Courtyard fountain. Their work is time consuming and exacting, but, because of their skill, is largely invisible once it's complete. Masons restore marble, color matching the epoxy to carefully hide the seams. They clean granite in the Senate fountains which gets stained because of sediment in the water. And they repair ornate decorative plaster elements which serve as focal points in key rooms in the Senate office buildings. Masonry staff also cut holes in the walls and the floor for needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades, then seamlessly …
Some AOC employees are highly visible, while others work behind the scenes to preserve the awe-inspiring facilities on Capitol Hill. Learn more about the work of this team, beginning at 4 a.m. each morning.
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The offices of the United States Botanic Garden's (USBG) executive director are located in a residential building at the south end of Bartholdi Park.
Behind the Scenes
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Capitol Grounds. This area includes lawns, parks, historic and commemorative trees, statuary, historic fountains and water features that provide an awe-inspiring setting for the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol Grounds were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in a Capitol campus expansion project performed from 1874 to 1892. Olmsted used trees heavily in his design to both frame the building …
Walking around the U.S. Capitol Grounds you can't help but be in awe of the impressive buildings and their historic meaning, what you probably don't know is that the U.S. Capitol Building is surrounded by an arboretum.
Behind the Scenes
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Recent historical research has confirmed that the Architect of the Capitol is home to the first federal government photography office, what is today called the AOC Photography and Technical Imaging Branch.
Projects
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Commissioned in 1873 by the U.S. Congress to design the enlarged grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Olmsted spent the next 20-plus years overseeing the development of the 58.8-acre site. His plan included not only planting hundreds of trees and shrubs but also constructing walls, walkways, fountains and the massive marble terraces surrounding the north, west and south sides of the U.S. Capitol. To help light walkways on the grounds, Olmsted also designed and constructed numerous lanterns with the help of his young architectural associate, Thomas Wisedell. Between 1882 and 1894, 14 of their …
The large bronze and glass lanterns are mounted on stately sandstone piers with intricately carved sandstone caps.
History & Discoveries
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For 200 years, the U.S. Botanic Garden has been showcasing plants to visitors from around the globe. Originally proposed by George Washington to establish a place for Americans to learn about useful and engaging plants.
Projects
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While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.
Behind the Scenes
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The team is responsible for overseeing the HVAC, lighting and plumbing systems, as well as monitoring energy usage in all of the buildings. It plays a role in designing, engineering, installing and maintaining major systems campus wide, including air handlers, pumps, lights and even fountains, and also oversees the Building Automation Communication network. This particular partnership showcases how the ExCEL Program provides benefits for both jurisdictions involved. "Andy will take the knowledge he's gained here back to the Supreme Court and will be more self-sufficient. He'll be able …
While the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) core mission is to preserve the buildings in our care, we realize that to be successful, preserving knowledge is just as important as preserving the buildings.
Behind the Scenes
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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.