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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

Beyond the Dome – Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center

By Erin Nelson
| June 3, 2013
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is responsible for managing all of the buildings and grounds on Capitol Hill, but it also maintains several facilities across the National Capital Region. One such facility is the Library of Congress Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center
History & Discoveries

Article

B.B. French – Blogger Extraordinaire

By Matt Guilfoyle
| November 6, 2013
Long before the advent of Twitter, Facebook and blogs – there were journals. 150 years ago this month saw one of the most transformative periods in the construction of the United States Capitol along with the historic address by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. One individual captured these events
Federal Office Building No. 8, now known as the O’Neill House Office Building, under original construction. Photo courtesy of the FDA.
History & Discoveries

Article

Then & Now: O'Neill House Office Building

By Erin Nelson
| October 18, 2017
The O'Neill House Office Building was constructed in the early 1960s. Originally known as Federal Office Building No. 8, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to name the building after the late former Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill in 2012. Federal Office Building No. 8 was the Food
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.
Participants and instructors after lunch at Eco City Farm.
Doing Good

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden Helps Veterans with Urban Farming

By Devin Dotson
| November 6, 2018
Armed to Urban Farm is a new program presented by the U.S. Botanic Garden and the National Center for Appropriate Technology to teach veterans about urban farming careers.
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
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
Black and white photo of the Capitol Power Plant's interior.
History & Discoveries

Article

Capitol Power Plant: A Century of Service

By AOC Staff
| December 5, 2010
This year, the Capitol Power Plant marks 100 years of steady service of steam and chilled water to heat and cool the Capitol. In that century of service, the plant has undergone significant changes as new buildings were built, and more modern and efficient equipment was installed. What hasn't
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
Intern Mary Delaney learns about an air handling unit from AOC Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic Worker Valarie Buggie to better understand the parts and services required by heating and cooling systems.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Looking Ahead for Talent — Finding the Next Win

By AOC Staff
| March 19, 2018
"This program far exceeded what I expected," said Supply Management Officer Paul Venturella. He was speaking of the pilot program to have college students earn class credit while applying their specialized knowledge and skills to advance the work of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). The first
Group photo of members of the AOC Capitol Grounds team with the Safety Sign.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Solving Problems One Challenge at a Time

By Erin Courtney
| November 29, 2017
One of the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) strategic goals is to foster an innovative and empowered workforce. Achieving this goal will ensure that AOC staff will exercise greater responsibility for performance, proactively apply well-informed judgement and innovation, to solve problems with
AOC Industrial Mechanics Jeff Weiskott and Derek Matthews
Behind the Scenes

Article

Industrial Mechanics: Behind the Scenes, but not Waiting in the Wings

By Franklin Bradley
| October 20, 2011
Equivalent in size to six Empire State Buildings, the buildings of the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court must be operational at all times to ensure the continuity of our democracy. Maintaining them at the highest level possible demands the best effort of the employees of the Architect of the Capitol
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
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC Moves the House Office Buildings Storerooms

By Franklin Bradley
| October 14, 2014
"When you open a door, you never know what you're going to find. We have found stuffed wolves that scared the pants off a man. Right around the corner was a big canoe that we had to pull out," says Vince Incitto. Cordell Shields explained, "The wolf was just inside the door, facing me. When I opened
2017 War Gardens
Programs & Events

Article

Sowing the Seeds of Victory

By Erin Courtney
| November 15, 2017
At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the United States remained on the sidelines as America continued to engage in commerce with European countries on both sides of the conflict. However, by early 1917 the United States had begun to prepare for war. Following the sinking of the ocean
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

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

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
Behind the Scenes

Article

Inspired by the Past, Preserving for the Future

By Lori Taylor
| June 7, 2013
Meet the Architect of the Capitol's decorative painters at the Library of Congress who work to preserve the ornate designs of one of the world's most beautiful buildings. Watch this video to go behind the scenes and see the techniques used to keep the Thomas Jefferson Building looking as striking as
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
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

AOC's TLC Keeps Historic Furniture Looking New

By Sharon Gang
| May 5, 2015
Hands-on Attention Helps Blend Vintage and New into Cohesive Collection Upon the recent retirement of a long-time senator, the Senate Office Buildings Painting and Refinishing Branch is set to work on one of the oldest desks in the Senate office buildings. Perched on a large dolly like an elephant
Group photo of the Architect of the Capitol high-voltage electricians on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.
Behind the Scenes

Article

High-Voltage Team Powers the Powerful

By Franklin Bradley
| July 26, 2017
Learn how the AOC's High-Voltage team keeps the campus running.
History & Discoveries

Article

The Lincoln Catafalque in the U.S. Capitol

By AOC Curator Office
| April 15, 2015
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s death, AOC Curator Barbara Wolanin details the days he lay in state at the U.S. Capitol.
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.
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.
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.
History & Discoveries

Article

Keeping History in Perspective

By Stephen T. Ayers
| July 23, 2013
In 2013 as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol's current cast iron dome, I think it's also important to remember the Capitol's humble roots in the early years of the nation's budding democracy. The man behind the Capitol's original wood and