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History & Discoveries

Article

Finding a Lasting Impression

By Sarah Davis
| June 1, 2016
Montgomery C. Meigs played a critical role in building a number of well-known landmarks in D.C. To ensure his credit would be preserved in history, Meigs was notorious for seizing opportunities to get his name inscribed on any items related to these monumental projects that he could. Meigs' name on
Behind the Scenes

Article

Set in Stone—How the AOC Honors Historic Preservation

By Kristen Frederick
| May 24, 2011
As the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and neither was the U.S. Capitol and its surrounding buildings and grounds. Since Congress first met in the Capitol in 1800, the building has undergone dramatic expansion as the size of the nation has increased. In the center of it all is the U.S
Behind the Scenes

Article

A New Home for a Capitol Treasure

By Kristen Frederick
| January 21, 2011
It took both brawn and brains to move a beautiful (and hefty) treasure when the Magna Carta display was moved from the Capitol Rotunda to its new home in the Capitol Crypt. In August, the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Capitol Building Mason Shop, with the support of a rigging company, spent 14 ½
Behind the Scenes

Article

A Passion for Pedaling

By Jamie Herr
| May 18, 2016
In 2014, Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers stood before a large group of bicycle enthusiasts to accept a Bicycle Friendly Business Honorable Mention Award from the League of American Bicyclists. In his speech he challenged his staff to get the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) designated as a
Programs & Events

Article

Lend Me Your Ears

By Andrew Dentamaro
| May 13, 2016
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." ― Plato The laying of the U.S. Capitol's cornerstone on September 18, 1793, would not have been complete without appropriate celebration. When President George Washington led a company of
Projects

Article

What's Happening Behind the Capitol Scaffolding?

By Erin Courtney
| May 10, 2016
To answer this question, we travel to a brick building in Vienna, Virginia, where the hum of an industrial-sized machine is unmistakable. Littering the fenced-in courtyard of the building are massive slabs of stone of all shapes and colors. Carving of a new rosette begun by a computerized numerical
History & Discoveries

Article

Mothers in Marble (and Bronze)

By Erin Courtney
| May 6, 2016
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. From historical figures to allegorical representations, images of women are found throughout the U.S. Capitol Building in the art and architecture. While not the only mother in the
History & Discoveries

Article

With Trees in Mind

By Sarah Davis
| April 29, 2016
Celebrated annually on the last Friday in April, National Arbor Day highlights the importance of trees, their planting and their care. Architect of the Capitol employees are involved in comprehensive tree care on this day, and every day throughout the year. It all started in 1874 with Frederick Law
Behind the Scenes

Article

Promoting a Culture of Conservation and Energy Reduction

By Laura Condeluci
| April 25, 2016
Reducing energy use at the Library of Congress (LOC) was critical in meeting the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) energy reduction goal of 30 percent reduction by the end of fiscal year 2015. The Architect of the Capitol maintains the facilities for the LOC, and the AOC Library Buildings and Grounds
Behind the Scenes

Article

Energy Savings Performance Contracts Help AOC Exceed Energy Goal

By Erin Courtney
| April 18, 2016
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 authorized the use of private sector financing to implement energy conservation methods and energy-efficiency technologies by federal entities. Congress provided a mechanism, through Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC), to accelerate investment in cost-effective
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, Thomas Jefferson

By Erin Courtney
| April 13, 2016
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." On April 13, 1743, Thomas Jefferson was born near present-day Charlottesville, Virginia
Behind the Scenes

Article

Lighting the Way to Energy Savings

By Franklin Bradley
| April 12, 2016
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) achieved a 30 percent total energy reduction by the end of fiscal year 2015 that was mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Senate Jurisdiction's efforts were integral to the AOC meeting its agency-wide goal. One of the key-energy saving
History & Discoveries

Article

Water Features Everywhere

By Sarah Davis
| April 7, 2016
There are more than 20 water features that Architect of the Capitol employees care for. Spanning across the Capitol campus, each of the House office buildings, Senate office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, Supreme Court buildings and the U.S. Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or
Projects

Article

Stopple Valve System

By R.C. "Skip" Vaughn
| April 5, 2016
Of the many challenges associated with maintaining and renovating a building that is more than 100 years old, one of the most difficult is working on the building's water systems. In buildings such as the Cannon House Office Building, the traditional method of fixing a water issue is to drain the
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC Achieves 10-Year Energy Reduction Goal

By Laura Condeluci
| April 1, 2016
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) focuses on energy and sustainability efforts in a cost-effective manner to maintain efficient, high-performing and healthy buildings across the Capitol campus. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 required the AOC to annually reduce its energy
History & Discoveries

Article

In Pictures: A Green Roof Comes Alive

By AOC Curator Office
| August 6, 2012
In 2011, the 7,200 square foot middle section of the Dirksen Senate Office Building roof was replaced with a green roof. What had previously been an unusable outdoor tennis court was transformed by plantings called sedums, which is a drought-resistant plant that stays green all year long. Installing
Doing Good

Article

A Veteran Helping Veterans

By Sharon Gang
| March 29, 2016
Paddle. Fish. Heal. "I like helping people, and veterans are at the top of the list of people I want to help." Before Electrician Martin Blanchet joined the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) in 2003, he had served in the Army twice, first from 1984 to 1988 and then from 1997 to 2003. His service
Epicatanthe Volcano Trick Orange Fire Orchid
Programs & Events

Article

Take Five: The U.S. Botanic Garden

By Devin Dotson
| December 21, 2016
Things don't slow down just because it's winter. Below are five reasons to explore the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) this season, including tropical flowers like the Epicatanthe Volcano Trick Orange Fire orchid above. 1. See chocolate in its rawest form Cross section of a cacao (chococlate) pod. When
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: Inspiration by Detail

By Stephen T. Ayers
| March 22, 2016
The beautiful buildings on the Capitol campus are full of thousands of decorative details. So many details in fact, that visitors and workers alike will often see something new each time they are here. This richness and depth inspire me every day. I've always wanted to be an architect. So naturally
History & Discoveries

Article

Celebrating Irish-American Heritage Month

By Erin Courtney
| March 17, 2016
According to the U.S. Census, about 33 million Americans claim Irish ancestry – that's about five times the population of the entire Emerald Isle. March is Irish-American Heritage Month and the President issues a proclamation commemorating the occasion each year. For Americans of Irish heritage
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, James Madison

By Erin Courtney
| March 16, 2016
March 16 marks the birthday of our nation's fourth president. James Madison co-wrote the Federalist papers and sponsored the Bill of Rights. To celebrate this special occasion, we are highlighting the art featuring or including Madison on the Capitol campus. The most visible homage to the "Father of
Behind the Scenes

Article

Passing the Torch

By Erin Courtney
| March 16, 2016
Greek philosopher Socrates once said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." The heritage assets managed by the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Curator Division document the historic moments and changing attitudes of the American people. Walking through the U.S
History & Discoveries

Article

Cool Tools: A Tuning Fork?

By Franklin Bradley
| March 10, 2016
As the temperature cooled down this winter, we asked Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees to join a hot (and friendly) competition – AOC Cool Tools – and share the cool tools they use to get their jobs done. Every employee, in every job we do, uses tools, from a crane that lifts heavy loads to
Behind the Scenes

Article

Behind the Scenes: Senate Subway Branch

By Elizabeth Yoder
| March 7, 2016
The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Senate Subway Branch operates two subway systems to transport senators, staff and escorted visitors between the Capitol Building and the Senate office buildings. The systems operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and continue running until at
Behind the Scenes

Article

Celebrating Women's History Month

By Erin Courtney
| March 2, 2016
During World War II, an iconic image that emerged to represent American women working in factories and shipyards while men were serving in the military, was Rosie the Riveter. The image was used to encourage women to enter the workforce to serve the war effort in factories. In 1948, three years
History & Discoveries

Article

The Lion – A Mane Attraction

By Sarah Davis
| March 1, 2016
With its prominent mane, the lion has long been a symbol in art and architecture representing royalty, stateliness and bravery. Through these appearances in paintings, sculpture and ornamental adornment to buildings, the "king of the jungle" often finds itself out of the wild and in more urban areas
The Apotheosis of George Washington in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, George Washington

By Erin Courtney
| February 22, 2016
Our first president undoubtedly had a significant impact on the nation, the U.S. Capitol and the city that bears his name. While George Washington did not take the oath of office in the District of Columbia, he did help choose the location of the capital city, selected commissioners who retained
History & Discoveries

Article

Honoring Black History Month

By Andrew Dentamaro
| February 10, 2016
Initiated by Historian Carter G. Woodson in 1915, National African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, marks a time to celebrate and reflect upon the role that African Americans have played in shaping the course of our country's history. The compelling account of physical
Behind the Scenes

Article

Focusing on Safety First at the Largest Library in the World

By Erin Courtney
| January 30, 2016
In 1800, the Joint Committee on the Library—the oldest continuous Joint Committee of the U.S. Congress—was established and the Library of Congress was created. At that time, Congress appropriated a small amount of money to begin buying reference books. The city of Washington, D.C. was in its infancy
Doing Good

Article

Rising to the Challenge: Elevator Mechanic Challenges Students

By Laura Condeluci
| January 27, 2016
For the past six years, Paul Miller, Elevator Mechanic Supervisor, has called on his experience with elevators at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create an elevator training program for freshmen at the Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School (Phelps). It's one way Miller