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Behind the Scenes

Article

Promoting a Culture of Conservation and Energy Reduction

By Laura Condeluci
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Reducing energy use at the Library of Congress (LOC) was critical in meeting the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) energy reduction goal of 30 percent reduction by the end of fiscal year 2015. The Architect of the Capitol maintains the facilities for the LOC, and the AOC Library Buildings and Grounds
Behind the Scenes

Article

Energy Savings Performance Contracts Help AOC Exceed Energy Goal

By Erin Courtney
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The Energy Policy Act of 1992 authorized the use of private sector financing to implement energy conservation methods and energy-efficiency technologies by federal entities. Congress provided a mechanism, through Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC), to accelerate investment in cost-effective
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, Thomas Jefferson

By Erin Courtney
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Our nation's third president has his successes, as well as himself, memorialized in more than 10 pieces of art in the U.S. Capitol Building.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Lighting the Way to Energy Savings

By Franklin Bradley
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The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) achieved a 30 percent total energy reduction by the end of fiscal year 2015 that was mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Senate Jurisdiction's efforts were integral to the AOC meeting its agency-wide goal. One of the key-energy saving
Pavers.
History & Discoveries

Article

Water Features Everywhere

By Sarah Davis
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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
People working on pipes.
Projects

Article

Stopple Valve System

By R.C. "Skip" Vaughn
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Of the many challenges associated with maintaining and renovating a building that is more than 100 years old, one of the most difficult is working on the building's water systems. In buildings such as the Cannon House Office Building, the traditional method of fixing a water issue is to drain the
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC Achieves 10-Year Energy Reduction Goal

By Laura Condeluci
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The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) focuses on energy and sustainability efforts in a cost-effective manner to maintain efficient, high-performing and healthy buildings across the Capitol campus. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 required the AOC to annually reduce its energy
Doing Good

Article

A Veteran Helping Veterans

By Sharon Gang
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Paddle. Fish. Heal. "I like helping people, and veterans are at the top of the list of people I want to help." Before Electrician Martin Blanchet joined the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) in 2003, he had served in the Army twice, first from 1984 to 1988 and then from 1997 to 2003. His service
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: Inspiration by Detail

By Stephen T. Ayers
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The beautiful buildings on the Capitol campus are full of thousands of decorative details. So many details in fact, that visitors and workers alike will often see something new each time they are here. This richness and depth inspire me every day. I've always wanted to be an architect. So naturally
History & Discoveries

Article

Celebrating Irish-American Heritage Month

By Erin Courtney
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According to the U.S. Census, about 33 million Americans claim Irish ancestry – that's about five times the population of the entire Emerald Isle. March is Irish-American Heritage Month and the President issues a proclamation commemorating the occasion each year. For Americans of Irish heritage
Two people standing looking at something.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Passing the Torch

By Erin Courtney
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Greek philosopher Socrates once said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." The heritage assets managed by the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Curator Division document the historic moments and changing attitudes of the American people. Walking through the U.S
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, James Madison

By Erin Courtney
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March 16 marks the birthday of our nation's fourth president. James Madison co-wrote the Federalist papers and sponsored the Bill of Rights. To celebrate this special occasion, we are highlighting the art featuring or including Madison on the Capitol campus. The most visible homage to the "Father of
History & Discoveries

Article

Cool Tools: A Tuning Fork?

By Franklin Bradley
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As the temperature cooled down this winter, we asked Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees to join a hot (and friendly) competition – AOC Cool Tools – and share the cool tools they use to get their jobs done. Every employee, in every job we do, uses tools, from a crane that lifts heavy loads to
Person working on machinery.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Behind the Scenes: Senate Subway Branch

By Elizabeth Yoder
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The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Senate Subway Branch operates two subway systems to transport senators, staff and escorted visitors between
Behind the Scenes

Article

Celebrating Women's History Month

By Erin Courtney
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During World War II, an iconic image that emerged to represent American women working in factories and shipyards while men were serving in the military, was Rosie the Riveter. The image was used to encourage women to enter the workforce to serve the war effort in factories. In 1948, three years
History & Discoveries

Article

The Lion – A Mane Attraction

By Sarah Davis
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The lion, with its prominent mane, is a popular symbol in art and architecture on the U.S. Capitol campus.
History & Discoveries

Article

Honoring Black History Month

By Andrew Dentamaro
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Initiated by Historian Carter G. Woodson in 1915, National African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, marks a time to celebrate and reflect upon the role that African Americans have played in shaping the course of our country's history. The compelling account of physical
View of column capitals inside a room.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Focusing on Safety First at the Largest Library in the World

By Erin Courtney
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In 1800, the Joint Committee on the Library—the oldest continuous Joint Committee of the U.S. Congress—was established and the Library of Congress was created. At that time, Congress appropriated a small amount of money to begin buying reference books. The city of Washington, D.C. was in its infancy
Doing Good

Article

Rising to the Challenge: Elevator Mechanic Challenges Students

By Laura Condeluci
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For the past six years, Paul Miller, Elevator Mechanic Supervisor, has called on his experience with elevators at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create an elevator training program for freshmen at the Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School (Phelps). It's one way Miller
Public Notice

Article

The Big Dig

By AOC Staff
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Less than 48 hours after Winter Storm Jonas began dumping snow from the skies over Washington, D.C., Architect of the Capitol crews successfully removed snow to make ​miles of sidewalks, streets and drives and 20 acres of plazas and parking lots accessible for the U.S. Capitol community.
Doing Good

Article

Mentoring Comes Full Circle

By Laura Condeluci
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When Barron Dill ( pictured above, second from right) was in college, he had the opportunity through his scholarship program to be mentored by professionals in the engineering field. It was an experience that deeply impacted him and led to his decision to serve as a mentor himself in college. He
Three people looking at pieces of sculpture.
Projects

Article

Recasting Missing Parts of the Grant Memorial

By Dr. Michele Cohen
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New pieces for the Grant Memorial are being cast in a Philadelphia foundry under the watchful eye of the conservator and the Architect of the Capitol team. On a recent visit, AOC employees observed the casting process in action, including the dramatic moment when the molten bronze is poured.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Let it Snow... We're Ready!

By Erin Courtney
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Every fall, the AOC begins preparing snow equipment and reviewing the essential personnel snow response plans for the U.S. Capitol. Find out more and learn fun facts, like the coldest area of campus.
Behind the Scenes

Article

2015 Year in Review

By Sarah Davis
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This year has been one of many great moments at the Architect of the Capitol and on Capitol Hill. As 2015 comes to a close, relive some of the highlights through our photos.
Programs & Events

Article

Northern Lights Twinkle on the West Front Lawn

By Erin Courtney
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The mild and misty December air crackled with excitement as the Architect of the Capitol, members of Congress, congressional staff, Capitol Hill neighbors and tourists gathered on the West Front Lawn for the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree. The majestic Lutz spruce, selected months ago by the
Programs & Events

Article

Selecting the 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree

By Ted Bechtol
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The Chugach National Forest stretches across south-central Alaska from Prince William Sound to the Kenai Peninsula, and was the national forest selected to provide the 2015 U.S. C apitol Christmas Tree . How do you pick just one tree from an area the size of New Hampshire? As the Superintendent of
Two people at a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Public Notice

Article

Hart Solar Panel System Celebrated

By AOC Staff
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The recently dedicated Hart Senate Office Building solar panel system is one of the largest federal systems in the Washington, D.C. area. The system furthers the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) commitment to sustainable and cost-efficient energy reduction measures.
History & Discoveries

Article

Monuments Men Return to Inspire on Capitol Hill

By Franklin Bradley
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In 2016, a Congressional Gold Medal was presented in recognition of the Monuments Men. Below highlights just a few of these heroes with their accomplishments seen on Capitol Hill, from the outside of the buildings to the rooms and artwork within. Under enemy fire, Monuments Man Roscoe DeWitt
Behind the Scenes

Article

Papal Preparation Takes Teamwork

By Erin Courtney
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Eight months ago, Raynell Bennett, Director of Planning, Evaluation and Operations for the U.S. Capitol, received a telephone call that would keep her office and many others throughout the capitol campus very busy. Pope Francis accepted an invitation from Speaker of the House of Representatives John
Projects

Article

Cannon Renewal Project: Best Practices In The Field

By R.C. "Skip" Vaughn
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Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) R.C. "Skip" Vaughn, Capital Projects Administrator, provides a best practices example from the building utilities phase of the Cannon Renewal.