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The Architect of the Capitol is a Legislative Branch agency responsible to the U.S. Congress for the maintenance, operation, development and preservation of the United States Capitol complex.
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Our mission centers on our stewardship of the structures and grounds of the nation's Capitol. We ensure every visitor to the campus experiences the grandeur of these historic treasures at their very best.
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The Architect of the Capitol is both the name of the U.S. legislative branch agency responsible for the maintenance of the Capitol campus and the title for the leader of the agency.
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We support our prestigious occupants in their critical mission to govern our country. We fulfill the journey of visitors from across our nation and around the world to celebrate and discover the center and symbol of American democracy. Our internal and external services are equally essential in the
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Learn more about the work Architect of the Capitol employees do in various trades and professions.
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Explore the U.S. House of Representatives office buildings cared for by the Architect of the Capitol.
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The campus consists of the U.S. Capitol building and visitor center, principal congressional office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, Supreme Court buildings, U.S. Botanic Garden and 570 acres of grounds.
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Today, there are more than 2,000 AOC employees serving around the clock to maintain and preserve the buildings and grounds.
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Preserving the Historic Buildings that Inspire Our Nation What We Do
Public Notice
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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
Projects
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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.
Behind the Scenes
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It generates temperatures of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more and accelerates to nearly the speed of sound.
Programs & Events
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Architect of the Capitol's Construction Division with the support of the AOC Library Buildings and Grounds jurisdiction worked together to complete the Fire Door Improvements project.
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This newly donated collection — the second largest single donation in U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) history — adds to the rich heritage and importance of the USBG's orchid collection.
History & Discoveries
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Colonel Charles De Witt's career extended far beyond his home county, including being named as delegate to the Continental Congress.
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The Architect of the Capitol, in conjunction with the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, has completed a three-sequence restoration project to preserve the exterior envelope of the century-old building.
History & Discoveries
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Beginning in 1855, Constantino Brumidi decorated many walls and ceilings in the U.S. Capitol, most prominently in the Capitol Rotunda and the corridors of the Senate wing.
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Eight bronze lamp posts were recently installed by the Architect of the Capitol on the marble pedestal of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in Washington, D.C. These posts are replicas of fixtures first designed and installed by Edward Pearce Casey, the architect for the memorial's pedestal.
Programs & Events
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The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.
History & Discoveries
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Did you know that the 15,000-pound bronze Statue of Freedom, standing atop the nine million pounds of cast iron of the U.S. Capitol Dome, dances every day?
History & Discoveries
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During a recent renovation, members of the Architect of the Capitol uncovered a long-forgotten painting of the famous horse, Black Jack.
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Is there a prison or jail in the U.S. Capitol? Several rooms in the United States Capitol have been used at various times for the detention of offenders. They were called guard rooms, and it is not always possible to determine whether those rooms were kept strictly for custody of prisoners or were
History & Discoveries
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Constantino Brumidi, born in Rome in 1805, was fully trained in classical and Renaissance painting techniques, including true fresco. He painted murals for Popes and princes and was considered one of the city's best artists. In 1852 he emigrated to the United States. In 1855, after painting a trial
Behind the Scenes
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After 12 years of service with the Virginia Army National Guard and two tours in Iraq, Anderson Alleyne began his career with the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) in 2013. He was hired as a night shift laborer in the Capitol Building jurisdiction and was responsible for maintaining the building's
Behind the Scenes
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There's a cool tool that enables the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to quickly respond to requests to dig on the U.S. Capitol grounds. It has eight receiving antennas making it easier for the person operating the locator to get a signal from buried utility lines as deep as 15 feet.
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The stone was cleaned to remove general soil, black gypsum crusts, biological deposits and copper stains. The mortar and sealants in the joints of the marble were replaced and the non-functional bird deterrent system was replaced. General cleaning used low-pressure water and environmentally friendly