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Public Notice

Article

2015 Capitol Christmas Tree Will Shine Tonight

By AOC Staff
| December 2, 2015
The 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit during a ceremony held today, Wednesday, December 2, at 5 p.m. on the Capitol's West Front Lawn. The ceremony is open to the public and no tickets are required. Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, will serve as the master of
Public Notice

Article

Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives: From Alaska with Love

By AOC Staff
| November 20, 2015
This morning the Capitol Christmas tree arrived on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The tree is an annual symbol of hope and celebration, so it is fitting that a truck driver who bears a striking resemblance to Old St. Nick, with a full white beard and smiling eyes, delivered it to the
Public Notice

Article

Gold Environmental Excellence Award for Packard Campus

By AOC Staff
| November 19, 2015
The Library of Congress' Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation facility (Packard Campus) located in Culpeper, Virginia, recently received the Virginia Water Environment Association's (VWEA) Gold Environmental Excellence Award for Industrial Waste and Pretreatment.
Public Notice

Article

Hart Solar Panel System Celebrated

By AOC Staff
| October 26, 2015
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.
Public Notice

Article

Architect of the Capitol Recognized as Bicycle Friendly Business

By AOC Staff
| August 26, 2015
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is now a League of American Bicyclists recognized Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business!
Public Notice

Article

Caring for the Statue of Freedom

By AOC Staff
| August 14, 2015
The Statue of Freedom — one of the most visible, symbolic and treasured pieces of art at the Capitol — will undergo its regular maintenance this September.
Public Notice

Article

Put the Rotunda in Your Pocket

By AOC Staff
| July 31, 2015
​Knowing that the U.S. Capitol Rotunda would be closed to visitors between July 27 and September 7 to prepare for restoration, the Capitol Visitor Center began in January to develop a Rotunda app that allows visitors to:​ Take a virtual tour of the Rotunda with the help of 360-degree imaging Learn
Public Notice

Article

Kennedy Center & U.S. Botanic Garden Collaboration

By USBG Staff
| July 20, 2015
The Kennedy Center and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) collaborate for the first time on two unique and inventive world premiere productions, The Cerulean Time Capsule and Flowers Stink, to be performed at the U.S. Botanic Garden in September and October, 2015. The U.S. Botanic Garden is a
Public Notice

Article

Good News for Sustainable Landscapes

By AOC Staff
| June 10, 2015
Sustainable landscaping program SITES, developed by United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and partners, was launched today by Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI). SITES is the most comprehensive program and toolkit for developing sustainable landscapes. Its rating system can be applied to
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
| July 23, 2020
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
| July 15, 2020
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: Hearing Room Renovation for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

By Elizabeth Yoder
| July 8, 2020
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
| June 16, 2020
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
| June 9, 2020
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.
Public Notice

Article

Rosa Parks Statue Joins U.S. Capitol Art Collection

By AOC Staff
| February 21, 2013
Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, today shared some details about the Rosa Parks statue that is slated to join the U.S. Capitol Art Collection following an unveiling ceremony on February 27, 2013, hosted by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
History & Discoveries

Article

Dome Keepers

By Matt Guilfoyle
| March 13, 2010
Since that time nearly 150 years ago, while the Union was restored, multiple forces have been unrelenting in their attack on the Capitol—time, weather, and nature. Today, a small unit of men has the task of protecting and preserving this most important American icon. Led by Bryan Glotfelty 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
| March 25, 2020
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
| March 10, 2020
It generates temperatures of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more and accelerates to nearly the speed of sound.
Official portrait of 12th Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Q&A with J. Brett Blanton, 12th Architect of the Capitol

By AOC Staff
| February 3, 2020
Seven quick questions with the newest Architect of the Capitol discussing his priorities, style of leadership and interests.
View of the Carson National Forest in New Mexico.
Programs & Events

Article

A Christmas Spruce from the Land of Enchantment

By Jim Kaufmann
| November 6, 2019
The Architect of the Capitol selects the annual U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in consultation with the United States Forest Service.
Close look at a door hinge in the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, patented Nov. 22, 1887.
Projects

Article

Fire Egress at the Library of Congress

By Erin Nelson
| September 3, 2019
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.
This donated orchid adds to the rich heritage and importance of the U.S. Botanic Garden's collection.
Programs & Events

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden Orchids Gain 600 New Siblings

By Devin Dotson
| August 6, 2019
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.
The tombstone of Colonel Charles De Witt. Born 1727 - Died Aug. 27, 1787. Patriot, statesman and leader in the revolution. Voting to ratify the Declaration of Independence.
History & Discoveries

Article

Charles De Witt: Founding Farmer, A Life of Service

By Franklin Bradley
| July 23, 2019
Colonel Charles De Witt's career extended far beyond his home county, including being named as delegate to the Continental Congress.
Brumidi's "War" is portrayed by Minerva, goddess of wisdom and battle, flying across a landscape accompanied by a cherub riding on an eagle.
History & Discoveries

Article

Six Special Rooms by Brumidi

By Sarah Davis
| July 2, 2019
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.
The Capitol Materials Cart being shown to visitors in Emancipation Hall.
Programs & Events

Article

Cool Tools: Capitol Materials Cart

By Erin Courtney
| June 5, 2019
The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.
Section, Revised Dome Design for U.S. Capitol. Pen, Ink and watercolor by Thomas U. Walter, 1859.
History & Discoveries

Article

Dancing by Dawn's Early Light

By Franklin Bradley
| May 21, 2019
Did you know that the 15,000-pound bronze Statue of Freedom, standing atop the cast iron of the U.S. Capitol Dome, dances every day?
The Blackjack painting discovered in the U.S. Capitol.
History & Discoveries

Article

Rediscovering Blackjack

By Erin Courtney
| May 14, 2019
During a recent renovation, members of the Architect of the Capitol uncovered a long-forgotten painting of the famous horse, Blackjack.
The artifacts in this photograph were passed down through the family of Brumidi's third wife and given to the Architect of the Capitol.
History & Discoveries

Article

Personal Artifacts of a Capitol Artist

By AOC Curator Office
| May 6, 2019
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
Paul Miller (left) and Anderson Alleyne (right) are two AOC employees that embody its mission to serve, preserve and inspire.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Preparing for the Moment Opportunity Knocks

By Erin Nelson
| April 10, 2019
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
United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. Section of south wing, 1800s drawing by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Retrieved from the Library of Congress.
History & Discoveries

Article

Jefferson Finds Capitol Inspiration in City of Light

By Franklin Bradley
| April 3, 2019
Have you seen the skylights in National Statuary Hall? Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was the inspiration behind them? If you haven't seen them, you didn't miss them — the skylights haven't been in Statuary Hall, the former House of Representatives Chamber, for over 200 years. So long, in fact