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History & Discoveries

Article

Let it Snow... We're Ready!

By Erin Courtney
| January 6, 2016
Twenty years ago today, snow began to fall on the Mid-Atlantic region. A lot of snow! Over the course of the next 24 hours, more than 12 inches of snow blanketed the nation's capital. In outlying suburbs of the Washington metro area, municipalities struggled to clear away nearly two feet of the
History & Discoveries

Article

Around the Clocks

By Sarah Davis
| December 31, 2015
All eyes will be on the clocks tonight as we countdown to the New Year. Many of the clocks around the Capitol campus also get plenty of attention throughout the rest of the year. The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) cares for most of the historic and modern clocks here. Our electronic mechanics go to
Behind the Scenes

Article

2015 Year in Review

By Sarah Davis
| December 18, 2015
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 blog stories, Instagram, Flickr and YouTube media below. January: Snowy view of the Grant Memorial and National Mall February
Programs & Events

Article

Northern Lights Twinkle on the West Front Lawn

By Erin Courtney
| December 2, 2015
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
| October 28, 2015
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. Capitol Christmas Tree. How do you pick just one tree from an area the size of New Hampshire? As the Superintendent of the
History & Discoveries

Article

Monuments Men Return to Inspire on Capitol Hill

By Franklin Bradley
| October 22, 2015
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
| October 14, 2015
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
| October 9, 2015
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.
Programs & Events

Article

A Holiday Tradition: AOC Trims the Tree

By Lori Taylor
| November 17, 2011
The hanging of the Capitol Christmas Tree lights is the job of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Capitol Grounds Division. "When the lights of the Capitol Christmas Tree are finally turned on, everyone has that 'ahh' moment," says Tree Surgeon Supervisor George Rollins. Rollins has served with the
Programs & Events

Article

One Team, One Mission, One Day

By Sharon Gang
| September 28, 2012
Noon, January 20, 2009. The polished brass doors on the West Front of the Capitol gleamed. Thousands of chairs glistened in the winter sun. Red, white and blue flags and bunting fluttered in a cold breeze. Hundreds of Architect of the Capitol (AOC) staff, who had helped plan, construct, secure, set
History & Discoveries

Article

A Rotunda Roundup

By Sarah Davis
| August 5, 2015
A "rotunda" – featured in Classical and Neoclassical architecture – is a circular building or room covered by a dome. The U.S. Capitol's Rotunda is among the most recognizable and hallowed spaces within all of America's public buildings. This "Grand Vestibule" is home to many sculptures and historic
Doing Good

Article

Doing Good: Riding and Raising for Research and Treatment

By Kristen Frederick
| June 8, 2012
1 bike. 2 days. 190 miles. More than $11,000. Like many people, Franklin Bradley's life has been touched by cancer. When he was 16 years old, his father, Loren Bradley, died of a brain tumor. Franklin's uncle also passed away after battling mesothelioma (cancer that originates in the lining of
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Reflections: ADA and the Visitor Experience

By Laura Condeluci
| July 29, 2015
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) works to continually improve physical access across the Capitol campus, using creative solutions to ensure the grounds and buildings provide access to all, while maintaining and preserving the historic fabric and character of Capitol Hill. While we have made great
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Reflections: ADA and Historic Buildings

By Laura Condeluci
| July 28, 2015
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) works to continually improve physical access across the U.S. Capitol campus, using creative solutions to ensure the grounds and buildings provide access to all, while maintaining and preserving the historic fabric and character of Capitol Hill. While we have made
Behind the Scenes

Article

Teaming Up for Accessibility

By Kristen Frederick
| June 17, 2013
"This work had to be done right. Period," said Mark Italiano, project manager for the AOC's House Superintendent's Office, as he described how in less than four weeks, a dedicated team of tradecrafts experts was able to transform Room 104 in the Cannon House Office Building into a completely
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Reflections: ADA and Life Safety

By Laura Condeluci
| July 26, 2015
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) works to continually improve physical access across the U.S. Capitol campus, using creative solutions to ensure the grounds and buildings provide access to all, while maintaining and preserving the historic fabric and character of Capitol Hill. While we have made
Programs & Events

Article

CVC Guides Help Visitor "See" the Old Supreme Court

By Sharon Gang
| July 23, 2015
When Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) Guide John Claya encountered a guest with a visual disability near the Old Supreme Court Chamber, he used a creative tool to help her "see" the room. On Thursday, July 9, John was passing through the Small Senate Rotunda toward the Crypt when he noticed a family of
History & Discoveries

Article

Designing with ADA in Mind

By Nancy Skinkle
| July 22, 2015
An accessible ramp at Senate Parks near the Senate Underground Garage. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and represents one of the country's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation as it prohibits discrimination and guarantees people with
Doing Good

Article

AOC Employee Gives Back to the Community

By Erin Nelson
| April 21, 2014
Buddy Paddy spends his days caring for the trees on Capitol Hill as a Tree Surgeon with the AOC Capitol Grounds. His job involves examining approximately 4,500 trees throughout the year to ensure that they are healthy and continue growing to maturity. His evenings are spent in much the same way, as
Programs & Events

Article

A Garden for Everyone

By USBG Staff
| July 16, 2015
Later this month marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While many cultural institutions across the country will celebrate this significant milestone, it is also a time to reflect and look forward. The U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) is committed to welcoming every
Programs & Events

Article

Mobility Assistance: There When You Need It!

By Sharon Gang
| July 13, 2015
Two years ago when I needed the accessibility operations provided by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) on the Capitol campus, they were there for me. Functioning escalators and elevators were invaluable to me as I recovered from knee replacement surgery. Thanks to modern science, I have a new
Projects

Article

Seeing Through Concrete

By R.C. "Skip" Vaughn
| July 8, 2015
Architect of the Capitol's R.C. "Skip" Vaughn, Capital Projects Administrator, gives a quick project update from the building utilities phase of the Cannon Renewal. As part of the Cannon Renewal Project, the team is using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to plan and execute its work. GPR drawings
Behind the Scenes

Article

The Many Hats of the AOC from A to Z

By Matt Guilfoyle
| June 10, 2013
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) plays a leadership role in decisions from the policing of Capitol Hill; to national standards of historic preservation; to supporting development of industry standards in fire safety, capital project management and security infrastructure. AOC's involvement falls
History & Discoveries

Article

The Candy Desk

By Sharon Gang
| June 30, 2015
Few traditions associated with Senate furniture are as intriguing as the "candy desk" on the floor of the Senate Chamber. Although the desks on the Senate floor are cared for by the Senate, and not the Architect of the Capitol, they provide a fascinating story to share with friends. In 1965, Senator
Doing Good

Article

Doing Good: Employees Give of Themselves

By Kristen Frederick
| March 4, 2012
Every two seconds in America, someone — somewhere in the country — needs blood. Just one donation can save up to three lives. In AOC General Counsel, two employees are making a difference and doing their part to help. For almost 40 years, Deputy General Counsel Kevin Mulshine (pictured above) has
Doing Good

Article

Moving Offices. Improving Lives.

By Franklin Bradley
| May 23, 2013
"You've got to shine," says Tony Blue, a woodcrafter's helper working for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) through a partnership with So Others Might Eat (SOME). "That's what our SOME instructor told us — be on your best, do your best and always try to learn something different." So Others Might
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Rotunda Restoration

By Matt Guilfoyle
| June 26, 2015
The U.S. Capitol Building Rotunda is among the most recognizable and hallowed spaces within all of America's public buildings. The Rotunda is used for important ceremonial events, including the lying in state of eminent citizens such as President John F. Kennedy and Rosa Parks, the awarding of
Doing Good

Article

Discovering the Joys of Teaching — and Learning

By Kristen Frederick
| May 17, 2012
"Hey, AOC Lady!" Greetings such as these ring out at Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) High School in Northeast Washington, D.C., whenever Mary Jean Pajak, management analyst for AOC's Business Transformation Division, comes to visit. Her efforts have resulted in the AOC being
History & Discoveries

Article

History with a Side of Mystery: the Rotunda Benches

By Sharon Gang
| June 4, 2015
The benches currently in the Capitol Rotunda were used in the chapel at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for many years. The photo above shows the benches in the chapel, which was decorated for Christmas circa 1896. History The AOC cares for the benches in the Capitol Rotunda whose cast-iron supports and
Doing Good

Article

Doing Good: Investing in the Next Generation

By Erin Nelson
| May 13, 2015
What do you want to achieve in your lifetime? How will your achievements improve the world and define your legacy when you are gone? While these are hard questions for even the most mature adults, they are questions Emmanuel Akinjide poses to every high school student he mentors. "I want to help