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Projects

Article

Recasting Missing Parts of the Grant Memorial

By Michele Cohen, Ph.D.
| January 7, 2016
The impurities, called slag, harden almost immediately when removed. The molten bronze is poured into the shells. A protective ceramic piece resembling a mushroom cap is placed over the fresh bronze to ensure even cooling. After one hour, some of the ceramic shell can be hammered off. Once the bronze castings are adequately cooled, they are completely freed from their ceramic shells. All gates protruding from the sculptural elements are sawed off. The surface of the bronze pieces is smoothed and refined by a process …
New pieces for the Grant Memorial are being cast in a Philadelphia foundry under the watchful eye of the conservator and the Architect of the Capitol team. On a recent visit, AOC employees observed the casting process in action, including the dramatic moment when the molten bronze is poured.
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC Achieves 10-Year Energy Reduction Goal

By Laura Condeluci
| April 1, 2016
These are being paid off through the energy savings generated. In 10 years, the energy conservation program has produced savings across the Capitol campus equivalent to $94 million. The enhanced technology components of our infrastructure and building upgrades provided new tools to improve our energy use decision-making and efficiency. The Capitol Power Plant has made dramatic performance improvements in the generation and delivery of chilled water and steam throughout our facilities. By revitalizing the refrigeration plant and installing new chillers, we have increased …
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
Capitol Dome out of focus, branch in foreground.
History & Discoveries

Article

Who or What Goes There?

By Erin Courtney
| October 31, 2017
The AOC traces its history back to 1793, and it is an organization that has seen many interesting things in more than 200 years as the stewards of the buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. Construction sites on campus often yield historic artifacts, including bottles, newspapers and tools. Finding a dress or feminine fabric is new for the agency. Crouched in the air shaft, Long began scraping at the slab. Small pieces fell away revealing a single, dark hair intertwined in the fabric and embedded in the concrete. Working together, we quickly surrounded the area with a white paper, pulled …
On Friday, October 13, I took a stairwell down two levels below the U.S. Capitol basement, entered a locked storage area, climbed a ladder into the air shaft below the House Extension and carefully shimmied through the dark and dusty bowels of the building. Rounding a corner, Architect of the
Public Notice

Article

Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

By AOC Staff
| May 14, 2019
Prohibited Items The following items will be prohibited from entering through the screening points: Aerosols Air horns Alcohol Ammunition Animals (other than service animals) Backpacks Bags exceeding 18" x 14" x 8.5" Balloons Bicycles Chairs (other than those for disabled persons) Coolers Drones and other unmanned ground or aircraft systems Explosives of any kind (including fireworks) Firearms Glass and Metal Containers Thermoses Knives, blades or sharp objects (of any length) Laser Pointers Mace and/or Pepper Spray Packages Pocket or Hand Tools, such as "Leatherman" Selfie Sticks …
The following press release is via the United States Capitol Police. Information on Street Closures, Prohibited Items The 38th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service will be held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. This ceremony honors law
AOC employees discussing permit requirements during a self-inspection at the U.S. Capitol.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Capitol Building Self-Inspections

By Erin Nelson
| June 16, 2020
They are a way for jurisdictions to self-identify and self-correct risks to ensure a safe and environmentally compliant work area. Some of those risks include hazards such as electrical issues. Self-inspections offer a chance to check the fire extinguishers, ladders, tools, egresses and other housekeeping items. The inspections also allow the safety specialists to interact with employees to answer questions or address concerns they might have and provide on-the-spot training if necessary. The Capitol Building jurisdiction is pioneering the self-inspection effort and has …
The Architect of the Capitol continues to evaluate how best to keep our employees safe. One of the important ways we're advancing our safety efforts is through self-inspections, which are part of the agency's Strategic Plan.
History & Discoveries

Article

Master Illusionists of Capitol Hill

By Matt Guilfoyle
| August 31, 2012
And there are numerous "big and old" offices on Capitol Hill under the care of the AOC, including parts of the Capitol building dating to 1800 and the two oldest Congressional Office Buildings, Cannon and Russell , that are more than 100 years old. Tools of the trade include the use of materials to create decorative finishes such as stenciling, color glazing, marbling, lettering, striping, stippling and graining. In addition, they use artist brushes for intricate painting and decorative work. They also do "straight" painting, staining and varnishing by …
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

Saving Life & Limb: AOC Arborists

By Franklin Bradley
| September 25, 2012
"We have a bucket truck, but it only reaches so far. It goes up 50 feet, but we’ve got trees that are 130 feet tall." As George and I talked, the arborists were filing in at the end of a shift, storing their chain saws and other tools, reminding me of the need for a heightened focus on safety.   The priority after safety, Rollins explained, "is caring for our oldest trees, which sit on Capitol Square."   "We check over the trees on the West Front twice a year when they set up the tents because they’re a problematic species that can …
Year round, I often notice Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees perched high in the trees above. I love the large, beautiful trees across Capitol Hill—they are longest standing witnesses of the history of this campus, from the burning of the Capitol by the British to the sculpting of the current
History & Discoveries

Article

Honoring Black History Month

By Andrew Dentamaro
| February 10, 2016
Capitol Building in particular. One doesn't have to navigate deep into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) to find the Slave Labor Commemorative Marker , a solemn reminder of the role that slave labor played in the Capitol's construction. The craftsmanship, done by laborers who lacked the luxury of modern tools, is what stands out most to Prophet "PJ" Jones, an Administrative Operations Assistant in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Office Services Division. An avid collector of African American memorabilia, Jones views Black History Month as a time to educate people on the positive impacts that African …
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
The artifacts in this photograph were passed down through the family of Brumidi's third wife and given to the Architect of the Capitol.
History & Discoveries

Article

Personal Artifacts of a Capitol Artist

By AOC Curator Office
| May 6, 2019
The front and back of the medal are stamped with the Italian words for "First Prize in Studies" and the name of the institute, respectively. Sterling Silver Fruit Knife This knife's folding tools are a cutting blade and a seed picker. The handle is decorated with rosettes and scrolling leaves, and Brumidi's surname is engraved on one of the side panels. Hallmarks stamped into the blade indicate that the knife was made by the Gorham company c. 1863–1890 . Napkin Rings These two napkin rings, …
Constantino Brumidi, born in Rome in 1805, was fully trained in classical and Renaissance painting techniques, including true fresco. He painted murals for Popes and princes and was considered one of the city's best artists. In 1852 he emigrated to the United States. In 1855, after painting a trial
Behind the Scenes

Article

Promoting a Culture of Conservation and Energy Reduction

By Laura Condeluci
| April 25, 2016
The plan was presented to Library of Congress leadership to identify any potential impacts on operations and assure the LOC team that any challenges that develop during implementation would be addressed quickly and effectively. The LBG team implemented the changes and relied heavily on new data technology tools. Thanks to new meters and utility metering system charts and graphs, the results of the initiative were immediately apparent. The program saved 7.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity. With each successful improvement, the team was able to use the results to move forward with additional energy-saving …
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
History & Discoveries

Article

Bringing Cannon Back to the Future

By Sarah Davis
| April 21, 2015
The initial two-year phase will take place in the basement and areas of the courtyard and focus on utility infrastructure upgrades. Each additional phase will impact a quarter of the building, one side at a time. This work will replace or repair key building systems such as electrical, heating, cooling, lighting, plumbing, fire and life safety, accessibility and structural integrity. The Cannon Renewal Project will bring the building to modern standards and provide an effective workplace for years to come. As the Crane Turns The tower crane erected in the courtyard will rotate to serve each side of …
High in the sky, about 50 feet above the roof, a crane is peeking out of the Cannon House Office Building. This tower crane is part of the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) 10-year renewal project to improve and preserve the Cannon Building, which has not received a comprehensive systems upgrade
History & Discoveries

Article

Dome Keepers

By Matt Guilfoyle
| March 13, 2010
He says wryly, "We do it all. If it wasn't for our shop none of the other shops could function. Everyone needs something metal to do their job." Setting out from their small roof encampment to begin their inspection of the Capitol roof and dome, personal protective equipment and tools in hand, they begin the climb up to the top of the dome via the 365 stairs installed during the construction in the late 1850's. They make their first stop about 85 feet above the floor of the rotunda at the peristyle level. Here that small exterior ledge is accessible only with proper safety …
Since that time nearly 150 years ago, while the Union was restored, multiple forces have been unrelenting in their attack on the Capitol—time, weather, and nature. Today, a small unit of men has the task of protecting and preserving this most important American icon. Led by Bryan Glotfelty and
Projects

Article

It's About Time

By Franklin Bradley
| December 15, 2016
The simple pieces are being replicated by an automated carving machine off-site, where they will be hand-finished. The more complex items are being recreated by a stone carver on-site, who is carving from the same stone blocks the original craftsmen worked, although he has the advantage of modern power tools. As the Capitol has expanded, the AOC has removed and stored stone for use in future restoration work. For this project, that stone is being returned to the Capitol, where it is carefully color-matched to the existing stone. Similarly, the carver is working to match the style of each of his …
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.
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC's TLC Keeps Historic Furniture Looking New

By Sharon Gang
| May 5, 2015
The staff at the Senate Office Buildings Upholstery Branch sees mostly chairs and couches (davenports). "Everything we do is pretty much by hand," said Upholsterer Danny Kreitman. "Even our modern tools are 100 years old – things like clamps – we use them because they work." When a chair arrives at the upholstery shop, the staff tightens the springs, which could take a day or a week, depending on its size. Sometimes the chair needs new webbing or new upholstery. The original Russell chairs are stuffed …
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
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.
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
for information in the event of inclement weather. Everyone attending events on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol must adhere to security screening procedures before entering the event site. This will include an administrative search of all bags, coolers, backpacks, and closed containers. For this event, food items and beach/camp chairs that sit low to the ground are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own supply of water. The following items are prohibited. (Other items also may be prohibited at discretion of security screeners.) …
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
Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of those in attendance. Anyone attending events on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol must adhere to security screening procedures before entering the event site. This will include an administrative search of all bags, coolers, backpacks and closed containers. For this event, food items and beach/camp chairs that sit low to the ground are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own supply of water. The following items are prohibited. (Other items also may be prohibited at discretion of security screeners.) …
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
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
Prohibited Items and Security Measures Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of those in attendance. Anyone attending these events must adhere to security screening procedures before entering the event site. This will include an administrative search of all bags, coolers, backpacks and closed containers. For this event, food items and camp/beach chairs that sit low to the ground are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own supply of water. In addition to any other items at the discretion of security screeners, the following items are prohibited. Alcoholic …
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
Doing Good

Article

Discovering the Joys of Teaching — and Learning

By Kristen Frederick
| May 17, 2012
At the present time, 28 AOC employees teach 15 short courses at Phelps during the course of the school year.   Capitol Building Sheet Metal Mechanic Mark Focht works with a student during his sheet metal class. "It's been so cool to see how the AOC’s involvement with Phelps has spread to every jurisdiction," says Pajak. "For three years, employees across the organization have shared their talents and expertise with these young people. I think both our employees and the students get a lot out of the partnership." Olatundun …
"Hey, AOC Lady!" Greetings such as these ring out at Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) High School in Northeast Washington, D.C., whenever Mary Jean Pajak, management analyst for AOC's Business Transformation Division, comes to visit. Her efforts have resulted in the AOC being
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
"The lift was just not safe," Swann says. The House Office Building's safety committee recommended a new, safer lift, which was installed, but operators found that despite the manufacturer's assurances, it couldn't handle the long workdays. The problem, Bradley explains, is that "the hydraulic fluid had to cool for two to three hours after one hour of operation." In addition, when crews washed the loading dock, the electronics in the lift got wet, causing it to malfunction. After listening to what the lift operators needed, the Industrial Mechanics team got together and brainstormed. Industrial Mechanic Edward …
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
Section, Revised Dome Design for U.S. Capitol. Pen, Ink and watercolor by Thomas U. Walter, 1859.
History & Discoveries

Article

Dancing by Dawn's Early Light

By Franklin Bradley
| May 21, 2019
However, at dawn, while the western side of the Dome still faces the cold darkness of the fading night, the sun heats the eastern side. As the sun rises through the day, the southern side of the Dome rises in temperature faster than the shaded northern portion. At sunset, the eastern side is already cooling while the western side is absorbing the last heat of the sun before night falls. This uneven heating is what causes the Statue of Freedom to move slightly toward the west at dawn, as the eastern side of the Dome expands, to the north at midday, and the west in the evening, as the sun sets. During the …
Did you know that the 15,000-pound bronze Statue of Freedom, standing atop the 9 million pounds of cast iron of the U.S. Capitol Dome, dances every day?
Conditions of the U.S. Capitol's copper roof before replacement.
Projects

Article

Continuous Care of the U.S. Capitol Roof

By Laura Condeluci
| March 25, 2020
Kevin Golden soldering while Jason Stone and Darren Barnett install flat seam copper roof panels. The roofing process has essentially remained the same as when the copper roof was installed in the 1940s, though some of the waterproofing materials and soldering tools have improved over time. The old way of soldering used copper irons heated with a charcoal pot. Now soldering torches with gas-burning nozzles continuously heat a copper iron, which is cleaner, safer and reduces the chance of starting a fire. "It's still just as labor intensive now as it was when the …
Like most beloved national treasures from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Capitol Building roof requires continuous care.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Celebrating Women's History Month

By Erin Courtney
| March 2, 2016
Capitol. I've met several Presidents and dignitaries during my career and worked on exciting projects that I am very proud of, including the MLK memorial and Nats Park," she said. As COO, "I look for opportunities to mentor, educate and encourage employees. To provide tools necessary to succeed, we developed the EXCEL program , Student Loan Repayment options and expanded the Telework program." In honor of Women's History Month, Merdon plans to reflect on the accomplishments of women in this country as well as at the AOC. "I want to encourage women to take opportunities, …
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
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
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
avage, between the cultivated and the wild nature, are certainly to be found themes worthy of the artist and capable of appealing to the feelings of all classes." Figure of America The figures and scenes that flank Crawford's central figure of America illustrate the expansion of western civilization with its tools, knowledge, and values—and the concomitant demise of indigenous people. In the center stands America, who wears a liberty cap (despite Jefferson Davis's request that Crawford omit this reference). She is wrapped in robes emblazoned with stars, her eyes raised heavenward and left hand extended in a …
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
Stone preservation on the U.S. Capitol.
Projects

Article

At the AOC, It's Always Home Improvement Time

By Justin Kieffer
| June 24, 2021
While hard to see from the ground, these sculptures add to the true beauty of the U.S. Capitol. The workers on the pediment had to follow strict guidance and carefully mind their surroundings. They were required to wear hard hats with chin straps and no loose clothing or dangling tools to avoid further damaging the marble sculptures with an unintended bump or graze. To properly preserve this portion of the building, a sculpture assessment was performed to determine the requirements and then a detailed plan was laid out and conducted, starting with removing an old bird deterrent …
While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.