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Statue being moved with people on balcony above.
History & Discoveries

Article

Restoring Freedom From Historic Separations

By Franklin Bradley
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From the time all of its pieces arrived in America in 1859, the 15,000-pound plaster Statue of Freedom has relied on many skilled hands over many generations to preserve it. But before each restoration effort, the beautiful plaster figure had to be cut into pieces. Repeatedly.

Highlight

Civil Rights Bill Passes, 1866

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The 1866 civil rights bill, which prohibited discrimination on the bases of race or previous condition of slavery, prefigured the 14th amendment to the Constitution. In the foreground of the mural, former slave Henry Garnet is shown speaking with newspaper editor Horace Greeley, who supported

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Washington's Inauguration, 1789

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George Washington was sworn in as the nation's first president on April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York. The mural depicts (from left to right) Robert R. Livingston, chancellor of the state of New York, administering the oath; Secretary of the Senate Samuel Otis holding the
Man sitting on
Behind the Scenes

Article

Q&A With the House Floor Care Division

By AOC Staff
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The dedicated Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees of the House Office Buildings Floor Care Division work tirelessly to ensure the Capitol campus is ready to welcome Members of Congress, staff and the visiting public.
Photo of Vernon Miller II, Kenneth Vereen and Pete Ferentinos.
Behind the Scenes

Article

In the Senate Office Buildings, Maintenance Collaboration Is a Clean Sweep

By Madeleine Lucchetti
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Before the sun rises each morning, Zamboni-like scrubbing machines scuttle through the halls of the Senate office buildings. This dedicated AOC team spends hours ensuring the marble flooring sparkles.
Gnome statue in tiny doorway.
History & Discoveries

Article

Meigs' Miniatures: The Story of the Tiny Doors in the U.S. Capitol

By Erin Nelson
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Guesses for what is behind the Capitol Building's smallest doors are as varied as the architectural details that encompass the Capitol campus.
Poinsettias on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden's holiday exhibit "Season's Greenings."
Programs & Events

Article

Poinsettias Flourish at the U.S. Botanic Garden

By Devin Dotson
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Our gardeners have grown almost 2,000 poinsettia plants to brighten up the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory's annual holiday exhibit "Season's Greenings." An expert team at USBG cares for the annual poinsettia crop with daily attentiveness starting in July.
Columns in a room.
History & Discoveries

Article

How The Capitol Crypt Got Its Name

By Curator Division
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Is anyone buried in the U.S. Capitol? The term "crypt" has long referred to a space beneath the main floor of a church or a chamber in a mausoleum. For many of us it suggests somber, stony silence and perhaps dusty coffins. The Capitol Crypt, however, is a different thing altogether.

Basic page

Performance & Accountability Report

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The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) annual Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) provides the results of the AOC's financial performance each fiscal year (FY). It demonstrates the AOC's commitment to the accomplishment of its mission and accountability for its financial resources to the

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Lincoln Catafalque

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The Lincoln catafalque is a platform constructed in 1865 to support the casket of Abraham Lincoln while the president's body lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It is a simple base of rough pine boards nailed together and covered with black cloth.
View of the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.
Programs & Events

Article

An Olmsted Christmas at the U.S. Capitol

By Jim Kaufmann
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This year the Capitol Christmas Tree hails from Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina; it is extra special because of the forest's historical ties with U.S. Capitol Grounds landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
View of the Summerhouse at the U.S. Capitol with the gates closed.

Project

Summerhouse Maintenance

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The Architect of the Capitol's repair of the Summerhouse included renovation of the fountain and surrounding landscape, as well as additional landscape improvements to the grotto and surrounding planting beds.
The moon and a statue of a person.
History & Discoveries

Article

Haunted Halls of Congress: 5 Creepy Capitol Legends

By Erin Courtney
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Discover the myths, mysteries and folklore of this historic American building.
The Caucus Room chandelier, a prominent feature of the space, can be seen in original photos dating to 1908.
Projects

Article

Cannon Light Fixture Restoration

By Aimee Jorjani
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While light fixtures are like jewelry to a room, they can also set a tone for the significance of the space. Naturally, they also provide illumination to enable work and safe movement.
Gary Bowser inspects a boiler fan to ensure that it is properly lubricated and that safety systems are working correctly.
Behind the Scenes

Article

24 Hours at the Capitol Power Plant

By Erin Nelson
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The mission of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) continues year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our buildings never sleep, and the work never stops. This is especially true for the dedicated workers at the Capitol Power Plant.

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Corncob or Cornstalk Columns and Capitals

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Some of the oldest and most famous interior features of the Capitol are located near the entrance to the Old Supreme Court Chamber. These six corncob columns, designed ca. 1808 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, are among the most unusual and significant architectural works of the early Republic.
Cultivating a New Agriculture Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Programs & Events

Article

Cultivating a New Agriculture Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden

By Devin Dotson
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Visitors can explore the galleries and gardens to learn how inventive ideas in agriculture, both scientific and social, sustain and enrich life and how growing and cooking food connects people with each other and their communities.

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Amelia Earhart Statue

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Amelia Mary Earhart (1897-c.1937) was a record-setting aviator, an author, and a businesswoman. This statue was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Kansas in 2022. Sculptors Mark and George Lundeen are brothers; they also sculpted the statue of John L. "Jack" Swigert.

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Mary McLeod Bethune

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Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was an educator, civil rights activist, and presidential advisor. This statue was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Florida in 2022. Nilda Comas is the first artist of Puerto Rican descent commissioned to sculpt a statue for the National Statuary
Floor tile at the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
Behind the Scenes

Article

The Art of Walking Across History

By Cristin O'Brien
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Whether you work on Capitol Hill, are a regular visitor or you are planning to visit for the first time, remember to stay mindful of your surroundings.
Mario Murgueitio and Ron Pfeiffer, both Pipefitters with Capitol Grounds, demonstrate how to use a mulch blower attachment to fill silt socks with mulch.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Mulch Blower Extraordinaire

By Cristin O'Brien
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On a sunny morning, employees from Capitol Grounds and Arboretum gathered to see a demonstration of a new tool and hear about its benefits.
A/C Equipment Mechanic Horatio Evans tests for signal across two wires with a digital multimeter while troubleshooting air handling unit controls.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Retro-Commissioning: Big Energy Savings For Big Buildings

By AOC Staff
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The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) commitment to energy conservation and sustainability has resulted in a reduction of energy use by almost 50 percent across the Capitol campus since 2003. The agency continues to look for ways to build on those efforts as it works toward achieving reductions
"Across the agency, our team of exceptional professionals is working tirelessly to upgrade our capabilities and facilities. To achieve our mission, we need adequate resources to meet the technological, space, sustainability and accessibility needs of a 21st-century workforce." - Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton
Public Notice

Article

AOC Makes FY 2023 Budget Request to Senate Committee

By AOC Staff
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Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton testified May 11 in front of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate.
Grace Anderson adjusts the camera and laptop for an online horticultural education program.
Behind the Scenes

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden Taps New Technologies To Grow Plant Education

By Devin Dotson
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Like other parts of the education world in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic-forced closure of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) significantly impacted the USBG Learning and Engagement team. Much of their work consisted of connecting people with plants through hundreds of in-person educational
Portraits of Valerie Hasberry, Mark Reed and James Kaufmann.
Public Notice

Article

AOC Staff Named as Finalists for Service to America Medal

By AOC Staff
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The "Sammies" are the premier awards program honoring excellence and innovation in federal service.
Public Notice

Article

Tree Dedicated for the People of New Hampshire

By AOC Staff
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This morning the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation gathered on the U.S. Capitol Grounds to dedicate a tree in honor of the people of New Hampshire.

Highlight

People of New Hampshire Tree

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U.S. Capitol Grounds commemorative tree to honor the people of New Hampshire sponsored by the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation in 2019.
"Project funding will support the lifespan of [campus] facilities as well as address critical needs ranging from preserving priceless artwork to replacing roofs, installing emergency generators and improving campus security." - Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton
Public Notice

Article

AOC Makes FY 2023 Budget Request to House Committee

By AOC Staff
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Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton testified April 27 in front of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives.
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Public Notice

Article

AOC Celebrates Grant Memorial Anniversary

By AOC Staff
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Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton joined the U.S. Capitol Historical Society to celebrate the 200th birthday of Ulysses S. Grant and the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Grant Memorial.

Landing Page

The Architect's Virtual Capitol

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Find out more about the Architect of the Capitol, our employees and our work.