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An Architect of the Capitol street sweeper cleans up in Washington, D.C.
History & Discoveries

Article

The Architect of the Capitol Sweeps Up the Past

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When Jim Kaufmann, Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Director, happened across an 1891 street-sweeping map while going through cultural landscape reports, he had no idea how simple an old map could make caring for the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
The team found and collected seeds from the rare Glen Rose yucca (Yucca necopina), native only in a few counties in Texas.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Collecting and Growing Texas Native Plants for Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation

By Devin Dotson
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Throughout 2020 while the United States Botanic Garden was closed to the public, the Horticulture team continued stewarding its plant collection. Several Horticulture team members were paying special attention to a new batch of plants grown from seeds harvested during a plant-collecting trip to
Stone preservation on the U.S. Capitol.
Projects

Article

At the AOC, It's Always Home Improvement Time

By Justin Kieffer
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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.
AGA Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting
Public Notice

Article

A Decade of Excellence – AOC Receives Award for 10th Year in a Row

By AOC Staff
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For the tenth consecutive year, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) received the Association of Government Accountants' (AGA) prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) for its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).
The John Adams Building in Washington, D.C.

Project

Adams Building Garage Repair

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The John Adams Building Garage Repair replaced structural concrete and waterproofing to extend the life of the garage.
Tholos Magazine, Volume 18, Special Edition.
Public Notice

Article

Special Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
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A new special edition of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employee magazine, Tholos, is now available.
A member of the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team at work in the park above the House office buildings garage.
Behind the Scenes

Article

New Pesticide Recertification Program

By Kate Holder
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Recertifications during the COVID-19 pandemic required a new approach.
Map illustration of John Adam's route: 1. Philadelphia 2. Downingtown 3. Lancaster 4. York 5. Frederick 6. Rockville 7. Georgetown *. Final Destination: Washington, D.C.
History & Discoveries

Article

John Adams' Carriage Ride to Washington, D.C., in 1800

By Franklin Bradley
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President John Adams issued a letter to all federal agencies on May 15, 1800, directing the "removal of the public offices, clerks and papers" from the capital city of Philadelphia. In that single sentence, Adams started the final move of the U.S. government to its permanent home, the newly created
One of the four Olmsted lanterns on the west side of the U.S. Capitol Grounds, restored in 2020.
Projects

Article

Olmsted Lanterns Restoration

By Kate Holder
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The large bronze and glass lanterns are mounted on stately sandstone piers with intricately carved sandstone caps.
View of the U.S. Capitol during Sunrise in January 2019.
Behind the Scenes

Article

U.S. Capitol Clean-up

By AOC Staff
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The events of January 6 left most of the nation at a standstill, but Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees immediately went to work, restoring the building and grounds to their proper condition so that Congress could safely reconvene and inaugural preparations could get back on track.
View of the north congressional stand under construction for the 2021 inauguration.
Programs & Events

Article

By the Numbers: Presidential Inauguration 2021

By Erin Nelson
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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.
Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
History & Discoveries

Article

Honoring the U.S. Capitol Guides Buried in Congressional Cemetery

By Blake Lindsey
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In December 2019, a group from the Capitol Visitor Center Social Committee gathered at the cemetery to place markers on the graves of these guides and learn more about their lives.
Sequester Team Leader Ladislaus “Dave” Jagoda in front of the cogeneration system at the Capitol Power Plant
Behind the Scenes

Article

Capitol Power Plant Employees Power Through the Pandemic

By Kate Holder
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Showing Incredible Dedication in Uncertain Circumstances
A portion of the new Exhibition Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

Project

Exhibition Hall Renovations

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The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is redesigning Exhibition Hall. Visitors will encounter a dynamic and educational environment that will to inform, involve and inspire them about Congress' role in the democratic process.
Charles “Buddy” Greenwell III in front of “The Box.”
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: "The Box"

By Kate Holder
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What Began as a Demonstration for Kids Is Now a Unique Training Tool
Children pick beans in the Bruno Vegetable Garden at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Alabama.
Doing Good

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden Helps Urban Agriculture Programs at 28 Public Gardens Affected by COVID-19

By Devin Dotson
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Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Is All the More Important During the Pandemic
Benjamin Henry Latrobe was the second Architect of the Capitol, first hired in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson.
History & Discoveries

Article

Benjamin Henry Latrobe's Capitol Contributions

By Kate Holder
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Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the second Architect of the Capitol, is considered by many to be the "father of American architecture." Latrobe was one of the first fully trained architects in America; he helped popularize Neoclassical and Greek Revival architecture in the new nation.
A small funeral for Representative Lewis was held in the Rotunda, with social distancing measures in place.
Programs & Events

Article

John Lewis' Lying in State: A New Normal

By
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AOC Teams Adjusted to New Safety Protocols and Successfully Served This Unprecedented Event
Anthony Littlejohn completes the COVID-19 cleaning protocols for AOC vehicles.
Behind the Scenes

Article

COVID-19 Cleaning Protocols

By Erin Nelson
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AOC Staff Put In the Work to Keep Us Safe During COVID-19
This 1873 photograph shows how the USBG's first Conservatory had grown from a single Victorian greenhouse to this large, five-part Conservatory with 14 support greenhouses.
History & Discoveries

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden at 200: Deeply Rooted, Branching Outward

By Devin Dotson
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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.
The AOC team at the American College of the Building Arts (ACBA): Mike Miller, John McPhaul and Marvin Cortez.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Beyond the Dome – A Visit to the American College of the Building Arts

By Kate Holder
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Last fall, hopes were raised for establishing a new, long-term source of skilled labor when AOC staff members spent a day touring the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, South Carolina.
The finished SR-253 hearing room, with the ceiling and plaster reliefs repainted to appear like carved stone, which is truer to the architects' original intention.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Before and After: Senate Hearing Room Renovation

By Elizabeth Yoder
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The Senate Office Buildings jurisdiction recently completed a project to restore the hearing room for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (SR-253) in the Russell Senate Office Building.
AOC employees discussing permit requirements during a self-inspection at the U.S. Capitol.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Capitol Building Self-Inspections

By Erin Nelson
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The Architect of the Capitol continues to evaluate how best to keep our employees safe. One of the important ways we're advancing our safety efforts is through self-inspections, which are part of the agency's Strategic Plan.
CVC employee sewing face masks during the novel coronavirus.
Doing Good

Article

Capitol Visitor Center Employees Find Ways To Give

By Laura Trivers
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The coronavirus inspired many of us to wonder what, if anything, we could do to help when it seemed the needs around us were overwhelming.
Graphic for Architect of the Capitol Family Resources: Home Activities, Virtual Tours, Videos.
Public Notice

Article

AOC Offers Family Resources for Distance Learning and Virtual Visits

By AOC Staff
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The Architect of the Capitol is delivering virtual Capitol experiences to those unable to visit because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Resources for students and families learning from home are grouped into elementary, middle school and high school levels. There are also virtual field trips and
Conditions of the U.S. Capitol's copper roof before replacement.
Projects

Article

Continuous Care of the U.S. Capitol Roof

By Laura Condeluci
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Like most beloved national treasures from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Capitol Building roof requires continuous care.
A five-pointed star was cut within seconds by the Architect of the Capitol Sheet Metal Shop.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: Plasma Cutting Machine, a Matter of Precision

By Kate Holder
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It generates temperatures of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more and accelerates to nearly the speed of sound.
View of the Carson National Forest in New Mexico.
Programs & Events

Article

A Christmas Spruce from the Land of Enchantment

By Jim Kaufmann
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The Architect of the Capitol selects the annual U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in consultation with the United States Forest Service.
Stone sculpture of a face.

Project

Conservatory Façade and Roof Restoration

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Aside from a modest addition at the rear of the building, the historic USBG Conservatory exterior remains unchanged from its 1933 appearance. It contains two courtyard gardens and 10 garden rooms under glass, totaling 28,944 square feet of growing space, and also has two exhibit galleries.
Updated Children's Garden opens at U.S. Botanic Garden.

Project

Children's Garden Improvements

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Improvements include a new platform climbing structure, a new vine tunnel, a new digging area, expanded seating areas and additional shade structures. Spaces to dig, explore, plant, water and care for plants remain in the updated garden.