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Preparation for spring on Capitol grounds.
History & Discoveries

Article

Falling Into Spring

By Erin Courtney
| March 29, 2017
Spring is the season of new beginnings when the Earth seems to come to life again. But it is the year-round planning, preparation and hard work of the Capitol Grounds team that ensures buds bloom, vibrant colors delight and fragrant flowers excite the senses on Capitol Hill. Ted Bechtol, Capitol
One of 330 Capitol Hill elevators maintained by the AOC.
History & Discoveries

Article

Historic Firsts: Capitol Hill Elevators

By Erin Nelson
| March 23, 2017
Before I started my research for this article, I had already outlined it in my head. An introduction highlighting the 160th birthday of the passenger elevator followed by a short summary of our own first passenger elevator. As I explored the history of the first Capitol Hill elevator, I soon
Blue heron carved in stone at the focal point, the central fountain, in the perimeter wall surrounding Capitol Square.
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: Design with Purpose

By Stephen T. Ayers
| March 15, 2017
As many of you know, I love birds. I made the mistake of announcing at a meeting some time ago that I occasionally listen to CDs of bird calls and songs as I drive to and from work. Most of the members of my team have made fun of me since then, while a few other bird enthusiasts have secretly come
Russell Senate Office Building 2010
History & Discoveries

Article

100 Year-Old Russell Senate Office Building: Getting Some "Work Done"

By AOC Staff
| May 13, 2010
Having just celebrated its 100th birthday last year, the Russell Senate Office Building is looking really good for its age. But, to keep it in tip-top condition, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) spent some time studying the building's exterior in preparation to clean, repair and restore the
United States Supreme Court Building
Behind the Scenes

Article

A Woman's Perspective: Turning Challenges into Opportunities and Personal Growth

By Deatra Trinidad
| March 8, 2017
As a senior leader at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), I take great pride in the duties and responsibilities that I have been entrusted with as the Deputy Facility Manager at the United States Supreme Court Building. When I think back in history with the knowledge that, at one time, there were
Women are integral members of the Dome Restoration Project
Behind the Scenes

Article

Women's History Month: Christine A. Merdon

By Erin Courtney
| March 8, 2017
As the mother of a teenager, Christine Merdon is, to say the least, busy. Coaching her daughter's Odyssey of the Mind Team, traveling to basketball games, planning birthday parties and more occupy her nights and weekends. During the day, she fulfills a lifelong dream of working at the Architect of
2016 carved into a column capital during the Capitol Exterior Preservation project's stone work.
History & Discoveries

Article

A Sweet 2016

By Sarah Davis
| December 29, 2016
This past year has been filled with many sweet moments around the Capitol campus. From big events and projects (like Capitol exterior preservation above) to behind-the-scenes stories and fun celebrations, below are 10 that stand out to me. Winter Storm Jonas Snow removal on the West Front of the
Projects

Article

It's About Time

By Franklin Bradley
| December 15, 2016
Time has taken its toll on the United State Capitol's stone, but our preservation effort will restore even the finer details, hand-carved by artisans.
The work of the Capitol Building's Insulation Division is as "behind the scenes" as you can get.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Behind the Scenes: Jack of All Trades

By Erin Nelson
| December 8, 2016
The work of the Capitol Building's Insulation Division is as "behind the scenes" as you can get. In addition to installing insulation, the shop also supports other divisions in its jurisdiction by performing dust control and hazardous materials abatement work in the Capitol Building and Capitol
A portico of tall Corinthian columns gives the Supreme Court Building a monumental entrance.
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: A Progression of the Imagination

By Stephen T. Ayers
| December 5, 2016
I long for the days when we can experience all of the magnificent national treasures on Capitol Hill as they were originally imagined. The entry sequence and progression through spaces are carefully thought out by architects as buildings are designed. These experiences are very powerful and
Russell Jones of the AOC Construction Division demonstrates a cool tool for applying grout to the Olmsted wall.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: Squaring Off With History

By Franklin Bradley
| December 1, 2016
Many of the tools we use around the Capitol campus are unique, historic and essential to our mission — in other words, they are cool tools! We asked employees to tell us about their coolest tools, and this feature represents our latest find. In 1873, Congress commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted to
Doing Good

Article

Modern-Day Superhero

By Justin Kieffer
| November 17, 2016
Brian Roberson volunteers with Angel Flight Soars, working to transport cancer patients and others to treatment centers.
Programs & Events

Article

An Idaho Gem to Grace Capitol Lawn

By Ted Bechtol
| November 2, 2016
As the Superintendent of Capitol Grounds, each year I am charged with selecting the Capitol Christmas Tree. In 2016, we looked to Idaho – specifically, the Payette National Forest – and began the search with the help of the United States Forest Service (USFS). There are 2.8 million acres of forest
History & Discoveries

Article

Haunted Halls of Congress: 5 Creepy Capitol Legends

By Erin Courtney
| October 21, 2016
Working on Capitol Hill you hear your fair share of myths, mysteries and folklore about the historic buildings and its previous (we think) inhabitants. Given that the Capitol was once expected to be the final resting place for George Washington, replete with a crypt, should we be surprised that
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Discovery

By Erin Courtney
| October 7, 2016
It's been more than 500 years since Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in search of a direct water route from Europe to Asia. He never did discover that passage, but he did stumble upon the Americas and kicked off centuries of exploration, and exploitation, of the western hemisphere
History & Discoveries

Article

New Perspective, New Discoveries: A Close-up Look at Crawford's Progress of Civilization

By Michele Cohen, Ph.D.
| September 28, 2016
Since 1863, Thomas Crawford's marble sculptural group Progress of Civilization has stood in the pediment above the Senate doors on the East Front of the Capitol. Its details have always been difficult to see from the ground, but the scaffold erected for the recent stone restoration project has
History & Discoveries

Article

Letters and Numbers Abound

By Erin Courtney
| September 1, 2016
No matter where you look on Capitol Hill, numbers and letters abound. Passing three schools and multiple playgrounds on my way to work made me consider the variety of letters and numbers that appear on buildings or in art work on Capitol Hill. Considering the Capitol campus by the numbers (and
History & Discoveries

Article

Master Illusionists of Capitol Hill

By Matt Guilfoyle
| August 31, 2012
Turning wood into marble, metal into wood, one dimensional into three dimensional; these are all "tricks" of the trade for the painters of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). "We make a lot of things look like something they are not," said Cori Wright, assistant supervisor painter and decorator for
Behind the Scenes

Article

Help Plants Beat the Heat

By USBG Staff
| July 27, 2016
The heat of summer can be tough on plants. But you can use a few tips from the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) to plan, plant and care for a great garden through the long summer days. Before planting your garden do your research. Washington, D.C., for example, famously lies on the dividing line
Projects

Article

Conserving the Grant Memorial

By Michele Cohen, Ph.D.
| July 18, 2016
The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, star of the House of Cards opening sequence, is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Unveiled in 1922, it was cared for by the National Park Service until 2011, when Congress transferred it to the Architect of the Capitol. The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial on the west
History & Discoveries

Article

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

By Erin Nelson
| July 14, 2016
Throughout the Capitol Building, visitors and staff often pause to imagine what is behind the building's smallest doors. Their guesses are as varied as the architectural details that encompass the Capitol campus. The correct explanation for their existence begins with a fire on Christmas Eve 1851
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, Alexander Hamilton

By Erin Courtney
| July 11, 2016
BANG! With one shot, on July 11, 1804, Aaron Burr fatally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Hamilton died the next day. Who is this Founding Father slayed by a fellow politician and today's ten-dollar man? Over the course of the last several months, the name Hamilton has been hot. Really hot
History & Discoveries

Article

5 Original Olmsted Trees

By Andrew Dentamaro
| July 7, 2016
In June 1874, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) presented a plan for the U.S. Capitol Grounds for a sophisticated landscape that highlighted the building it surrounded. In his submission for the Architect of the Capitol's annual report, Olmsted wrote that, "The ground is in design part of the
Behind the Scenes

Article

Keeping Your Cool at the Capitol

By Burl Keller
| July 6, 2016
On average, July is the hottest month in Washington, D.C. Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you live on, work or visit Capitol Hill, stay alert for signs that you, a colleague or a loved one is too hot. Visitors shade themselves from the summer sun with
Behind the Scenes

Article

The Library's HVAC Aces

By Sarah Davis
| July 1, 2016
Just below the main floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress, the cellar level is home to the Architect of the Capitol's Air Conditioning (AC) Shop for Library Buildings and Grounds. A spectrum of parts and tools — from very small pieces to a 150 horsepower motor that weighs
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: On the Cutting Edge

By Lisa Maltbie
| June 17, 2016
Every one of us at the Architect of the Capitol, in every job we do, uses tools to serve, preserve and inspire. Many of the tools we use here are unique, historic and essential to our mission—in other words, they are cool tools! We asked employees to submit their coolest tool, and this feature
History & Discoveries

Article

USBG National Garden Turns 10

By Devin Dotson
| June 21, 2016
This fall, the National Garden at the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) turns 10 years old. Opened to the public on October 1, 2006, the National Garden is a key element of the USBG, along with the Conservatory and Bartholdi Park. The National Garden's Rose Garden celebrates the national floral
Doing Good

Article

Bridging the Gap

By Erin Nelson
| June 13, 2016
Millions of Americans volunteer every year, but few feel compelled to form their own organization. Greg Smith saw a problem in his community that had no solution, so he created one by starting his own non-profit – Kaizen Life Skills. Kaizen is a Japanese word that means continuous improvement, and
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: Influences at Work and Play

By Stephen T. Ayers
| June 7, 2016
Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers reflects on influences in his work, and the work of others, at the U.S. Capitol. We are all an assembly of parts, pieces and life experiences, and we bring those experiences to the things we do every day. It's what makes us who we are! I've come to learn
Behind the Scenes

Article

One Team, One Energy Reduction Mission

By Laura Condeluci
| June 2, 2016
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) achieved an extraordinary goal at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 — successfully meeting the mandate to reduce energy consumption more than 30 percent from our 2003 baseline. This 30 percent reduction is a major accomplishment on its own. But it's even more