Displaying 181 - 210 of 852 Clear

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
Doing Good

Article

Mentoring Comes Full Circle

By Laura Condeluci
| January 20, 2016
When Barron Dill (pictured above, second from right) was in college, he had the opportunity through his scholarship program to be mentored by professionals in the engineering field. It was an experience that deeply impacted him and led to his decision to serve as a mentor himself in college. He
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
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