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Ducklings using the special duck ramps at the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
History & Discoveries

Article

Three Quacks for Union Square Duck Ramps

By Erin Courtney
| May 15, 2017
Each spring, mallard ducks return to Union Square. The male calls and female quacks echo across the rippling water and bounce off the stately statue of General Ulysses S. Grant. Families, some waiting to enter the Botanic Garden, others out for an evening stroll, watch the majestic ducks swim across
A view of the renovated Bartholdi Park.
History & Discoveries

Article

Renovated Bartholdi Park is a SITE(S) to Behold

By Devin Dotson
| October 25, 2017
Bartholdi Park is a wonderful spot for eating lunch, finding a new favorite plant, enjoying a quiet moment and taking a break from a busy day. Originally created in 1932, the U.S. Botanic Garden's (USBG) Bartholdi Park had served as a changing home demonstration garden for more than 80 years, and
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

Top 5 Spots to Enjoy Spring on Capitol Grounds

By Lori Taylor
| April 8, 2013
Spring in Washington, D.C. is one of the most beautiful times to visit the nation's capital; it is also the busiest. The warmer weather and blooming of plants makes Capitol Hill picturesque and inviting. One of the most popular attractions in the city are the beautiful cherry blossoms on the Tidal
A bowler hat discovered during the renewal of the Cannon House Office Building.
History & Discoveries

Article

Cool Cannon Construction Finds

By Kristen Frederick
| January 3, 2019
During the process of renewing the Cannon House Office Building, workers have found hidden treasures that had been lost or discarded by the laborers who constructed the building more than 100 years ago. Here's a small sampling of what has been discovered since the start of the Cannon Renewal project
View of the U.S. Capitol during Sunrise in January 2019.
Behind the Scenes

Article

U.S. Capitol Clean-up

By AOC Staff
| January 15, 2021
The events of January 6 left most of the nation at a standstill, but Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees immediately went to work, restoring the building and grounds to their proper condition so that Congress could safely reconvene and inaugural preparations could get back on track.
AGA Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting
Public Notice

Article

A Decade of Excellence – AOC Receives Award for 10th Year in a Row

By AOC Staff
| May 28, 2021
For the tenth consecutive year, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) received the Association of Government Accountants' (AGA) prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) for its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).
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
Floor tile at the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
Behind the Scenes

Article

The Art of Walking Across History

By Cristin O'Brien
| June 1, 2018
Awareness of your surroundings can help prevent a slip, trip or fall — you might also spot some amazing things. I live with a two year old. Jumping, climbing and dancing are skills practiced in abundance — picking up toys is not. I will regularly find a dump truck parked on the stairs, a stuffed owl
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
Cover of Tholos Magazine, Volume 19.
Public Notice

Article

Volume 19 of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
| June 21, 2021
The latest edition of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employee magazine, Tholos, is now available. Article themes include Cool Tools, Organizational Transformation, Seasonal Highlight, Doing Good, Project Updates, and Spotlight on Safety.
Tholos Magazine, Volume 18, Special Edition.
Public Notice

Article

Special Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By Sarah Davis
| March 4, 2021
A new special edition of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employee magazine, Tholos, is now available. Since January 6, 2021, we have received thousands of letters and emails from grateful citizens all across the country, thanking our staff for their efforts on that day and every day. Even at a
Tholos Magazine, Volume 17.
Public Notice

Article

Winter 2021 Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
| January 25, 2021
Article themes and highlights include Year in Review, A Look Back to 1800, AOC's organizational transformation and Spotlight on Safety.
Tholos Magazine, Volume 16.
Public Notice

Article

Fall 2020 Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
| December 11, 2020
Article themes and highlights include Beyond the Dome at Congressional Cemetery, Spotlight on Safety, Doing Good, a project update on the Olmsted lanterns and By the Numbers for Presidential Inauguration 2021.
FY 2020 Performance and Accountability Report Cover
Public Notice

Article

FY 2020 Performance and Accountability Report Available

By AOC Staff
| November 25, 2020
The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 is now available online.
J. Brett Blanton, 12th Architect of the Capitol, welcomes and accepts the 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree.
Public Notice

Article

The 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

By AOC Staff
| November 20, 2020
The 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was chosen from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and is sponsored by the Colorado Congressional Delegation led by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.
Tholos Magazine, Volume 15, Special Edition.
Public Notice

Article

Special Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
| October 22, 2020
AOC Employees Have Gone Above and Beyond During the Pandemic
AOC Tholos Summer 2020 Cover
Public Notice

Article

Summer 2020 Issue of Tholos Magazine Now Available

By AOC Staff
| September 14, 2020
The latest edition of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employee magazine, Tholos, is now available. Article themes include Spotlight on Safety, AOC Tributes, Doing Good, and Cool Tools.
View of the U.S. Capitol's East Front.
Public Notice

Article

Congressman John R. Lewis to Lie in State in U.S. Capitol

By AOC Staff
| July 24, 2020
The late Congressman John R. Lewis will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. The following is information regarding viewing hours, public health measures, road closures and other details regarding the event.
Graphic for Architect of the Capitol Family Resources: Home Activities, Virtual Tours, Videos.
Public Notice

Article

AOC Offers Family Resources for Distance Learning and Virtual Visits

By AOC Staff
| April 29, 2020
The Architect of the Capitol is delivering virtual Capitol experiences to those unable to visit because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Resources for students and families learning from home are grouped into elementary, middle school and high school levels. There are also virtual field trips and
View of the U.S. Capitol Campus, the National Mall and Washington Monument.
Public Notice

Article

Capitol Visitor Center and U.S. Botanic Garden Temporarily Close to Visitors

By AOC Staff
| March 30, 2020
Out of an abundance of caution, the Capitol Visitor Center and the Conservatory of the United States Botanic Garden will temporarily close to the public until further notice to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus (COVID-19). The outdoor gardens and grounds remain open.
Public Notice

Article

State of the Union Address Street Closures and Other Restrictions

By AOC Staff
| January 29, 2020
The following press release is via the United States Capitol Police. On February 4, 2020, President Donald J. Trump will deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the Chamber of the House of Representatives beginning at 9 p.m. Given the high level of security
Architect of the Capitol Blanton and Chief Justice Roberts.
Public Notice

Article

12th Architect of the Capitol Sworn In

By AOC Staff
| January 17, 2020
On January 16, 2020, J. Brett Blanton was sworn in as the 12th Architect of the Capitol by Chief Justice John Roberts at the United States Supreme Court Building. He was nominated on December 9, 2019, and confirmed on December 20, 2019. Blanton most recently served as the Deputy Vice President for
A trolley leaves Cincinnati Union Terminal model in the train show at the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Public Notice

Article

2019 Holiday Show Celebrating America's Gardens

By USBG Staff
| November 14, 2019
The following press release is via the United States Botanic Garden: This year's annual U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) holiday exhibit, Season's Greenings: America's Gardens, will open Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019, and run through January 5, 2020. The exhibit caps off our year of celebrating the
Bill O'Donnell, Chief Administrative Officer for Architect of the Capitol.
Public Notice

Article

New Chief Administrative Officer: William R. O'Donnell

By AOC Staff
| September 3, 2019
After a thorough executive search, William O'Donnell has been selected to serve as the Architect of the Capitol's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Mr. O'Donnell is a proven senior executive with extensive experience in leading large, high profile and complex business and administrative operations
View of the Labor Day Concert on the U.S. Capitol West Front Lawn during sunset.
Public Notice

Article

2019 U.S. Capitol Labor Day Concert Prohibited Items and Street Closures

By AOC Staff
| August 28, 2019
The following press release is via the United States Capitol Police. Know Before You Go: Information on the Concert, Prohibited Items & Street Closures On Sunday, September 1, 2019, the annual Labor Day Capitol Concert, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra, will be held on the West Front of the
Fireworks bursting in the air with the U.S. Capitol dome on July 4th.
Public Notice

Article

2019 "A Capitol Fourth" Concert Prohibited Items and Street Closures

By AOC Staff
| July 1, 2019
The following press release is via the United States Capitol Police. Know Before You Go: Information on the Concert, Rehearsal, Prohibited Items & Street Closures On Thursday, July 4, 2019, the 39th annual "A Capitol Fourth" Concert, celebrating America's Independence Day, will air live from the
Drawing and design for the Grant Memorial replica lamp posts.
Public Notice

Article

Lamp Posts Installed at Grant Memorial

By AOC Staff
| June 25, 2019
Eight bronze lamp posts were recently installed by the Architect of the Capitol on the marble pedestal of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in Washington, D.C. These posts are replicas of fixtures first designed and installed by Edward Pearce Casey, the architect for the memorial's pedestal.
AOC is hosting an Industry Day at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Public Notice

Article

2019 Legislative Branch Industry Day

By AOC Staff
| June 4, 2019
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC), along with other legislative branch procurement divisions, are hosting a Legislative Branch Industry Day on June 27, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in the Congressional Auditorium. This event is for contractors interested in doing
2017 Memorial Day Concert Set Up
Public Notice

Article

2019 U.S. Capitol Memorial Day Concert Prohibited Items and Street Closures

By AOC Staff
| May 23, 2019
The following press release is via the United States Capitol Police. Know Before You Go: Information on the Concert, Rehearsal, Prohibited Items and Street Closures On Sunday, May 26, 2019, the annual National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States