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Behind the Scenes

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Picture Perfect: Capturing Iconic Images of the U.S. Capitol Grounds

By Thomas Hatzenbuhler
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Put Things in Context Image A view of the U.S. Capitol on a cloudy day. There are numerous spots around campus that are perfect for capturing stunning and impactful photos. The Olmsted fountains and planters along the East Plaza of the U.S. Capitol Building, the Summerhouse , the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial and the Capitol Reflecting Pool are some of the most popular sites. Each location offers photographers the opportunity to capture the unique contrast of colorful flora and formal …
See the Capitol campus through the eyes of an AOC Photographer.

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Senate Parks

By Sarah Davis
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Initially designed in 1929 by William E. Parsons, of the Chicago firm of Bennett, Parsons and Frost, the grounds were planned with the clear purpose of providing a gracious, functional and formal link between the U.S. Capitol and Union Station. Parsons' plan was carefully considered with a spatial

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Campus Amenities

By Sarah Davis
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Capitol Police at 202.225.4200. Restaurants and Dining Capitol Visitor Center Restaurant House Office Building Restaurants Library of Congress Restaurants Senate Office Building Restaurants Supreme Court Building Restaurant Restrooms and Water Fountains Single-Stall Restrooms Summerhouse Drinking Fountains … First Aid Office of Attending Physician Locations Getting Here U.S. Capitol Campus Map Gift Shops Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shops Library of Congress Gift Shop Supreme Court Building Gift Shop U.S. Botanic Garden Gift Shop U.S. House of …
Looking for how to get here, where to eat and where to shop? Below are some available options for visitors to the U.S. Capitol and other campus buildings.
Person outside.
Projects

Article

A House for All Seasons

By Justin Kieffer
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More than 140 years later, the Architect of the Capitol's Summerhouse still offers visitors respite. Recent maintenance efforts will help keep the site around for repeat visitors and first timers alike.

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Senate Fountain

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The hexagon is 25 feet across and the basin measures 85 feet by 100 feet. From the oval basin the water is piped underground to three sculpted stone bubbler fountains in the north wall of the terrace. The scalloped rims of their tiered basins repeat the pattern of the large fountain above. From there the water is again piped underground to the lower level of the 180-foot-by-80-foot reflecting pool. The present lighting display is comprised of 114 underwater …
The Senate Fountain, a hexagonal granite monolith with high jets of water spouting from its center, is surrounded by six smaller jets on a lower level.
Fountain at the Botanic Gardens

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Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens

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Image Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens In 2018, Bartholdi Gardens achieved SITES Gold certification  for its sustainability strategies. Created in 1932 when the U.S. Botanic Garden  (USBG) was relocated, the park was renamed in 1985 after the sculptor of the historic "Fountain of Light and Water" located at its center, …
Bartholdi Gardens serves as a home landscape demonstration garden and showcases innovative plant combinations in a variety of styles and design themes.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Photography and Technical Imaging Branch Marks 75th Anniversary

By Michael Dunn
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Recent historical research has confirmed that the Architect of the Capitol is home to the first federal government photography office, what is today called the AOC Photography and Technical Imaging Branch.

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House Garage Fountain Cherry Trees

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Image House Garage Fountain Cherry Trees …

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Court of Neptune

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Passersby enjoy the play of the jets of water on the majestic, bearded and muscular king of the sea; his sons the tritons blowing conches; the frolicking, horseback-riding Nereids (sea nymphs); and the water-spouting turtles, frogs and sea serpent, placed in front of a grotto-like wall. The tritons
View of the Summerhouse at the U.S. Capitol with the gates closed.

Project

Summerhouse Maintenance

By Sarah Davis
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The Architect of the Capitol's repair and renovation of the Summerhouse fountain and surrounding landscape is complete. Additional landscape improvements to the grotto and surrounding planting beds will continue into the spring of 2024.
Person outside.
Programs & Events

Article

Four Sustainable Practices from Our Grounds to Yours

By Capitol Grounds and Arboretum
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During your visit, learn about the many memorial and commemorative trees, statuary and historic fountains while reducing your carbon footprint. The AOC's Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team showcases environmentally friendly options of gardening including an electric bike for efficient transportation and operations. At home, try to use eco-friendly modes of transportation like walking, cycling, …
At the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team works hard to promote green and sustainable practices around the Capitol campus.
Artifacts on a table.

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First Cornerstone

By Sarah Davis
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Contemporary Masonic practice included the laying of an inscribed metal plate along with a cornerstone. Caleb Bentley, a Quaker clockmaker and silversmith who lived in Georgetown not far from Suter's Fountain Inn, where the commissioners held their meetings, made the silver plate for the Capitol
Structure made of bricks surrounded by flowers.

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Summerhouse

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The fountain in the center of the building originally provided drinking water piped from a spring. The six small metal fittings around the fountain's upper perimeter secured chains that are believed to have held drinking cups or ladles. Three individual drinking fountains connected to the filtered city water supply now provide drinking water, and the central fountain is used only for display. The water supply for the grotto was originally provided by a runoff stream from a drinking fountain at the Capitol's west entrance. Later, a city-water stream was made to flow …
Construction on the Summerhouse began in 1879 and was completed in late 1880 or early 1881 by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Some of the first visitors back in the USBG Conservatory after it reopened.
Public Notice

Article

U.S. Botanic Garden Reopens to Visitors

By AOC Staff
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The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory reopened to the public today, April 1, marking a full reopening of all areas of the USBG.
Stone wall.

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Olmsted Hardscapes & Terrace

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Some of Olmsted's significant hardscape elements can be found on the East Front plaza of the  U.S. Capitol . Restoration and modernization work was completed as part of the building of the  Capitol Visitor Center . The fountains and lanterns are fully modernized , and new technologies, such as the fountain's water pressure levels, are tied to an anemometer that lowers the water pressure as winds rise. The terrace walls that wrap around the Capitol to the north, west and south are constructed largely of Lee Massachusetts …
In 1874, Frederick Law Olmsted was charged with devising a comprehensive landscape scheme for the U.S. Capitol. Olmsted's major concern was the visual presentation of the Capitol Building and the support of its daily functions.
View of the U.S. Capitol's East Front from under the north trolley stop trellis.

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Summer at the U.S. Capitol

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Image Summer at the U.S. Capitol Summer in Washington, D.C. brings heat, humidity and families on vacation. Across the Capitol campus, visitors can find relief in the cool shade of thousands of trees and aquatic inspiration from more than 20 water features. What can visitors see and do in summer? Fountains Although the water features maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) are not designed for humans to recreate in, several crowd-pleasing pools of cool are located near the U.S. Capitol including the Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park fountain , the Court of Neptune and the U.S Botanic …
What can visitors see and do in summer? Fountains Although the water features maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) are not designed for humans to recreate in, several crowd-pleasing pools of cool are located near the U.S. Capitol including the Capitol Reflecting Pool, Senate Park
Circular fountain on the U.S. Capitol's West Front.
History & Discoveries

Article

Calm and Collected Waters

By Sarah Davis
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By Sarah Davis | June 20, 2018 History & Discoveries Calm and Collected Waters Fountains and formal pools of water abound on the U.S. Capitol campus in Washington, D.C. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental tranquility and Summer officially starts this week and the weather in Washington, D.C., is getting warmer. While water features …
Summer officially starts this week and the weather in Washington, D.C., is getting warmer. While water features on the U.S. Capitol campus look cool and refreshing, they aren't designed for humans to play in. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental
Exterior view of a building.

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Thomas Jefferson Building

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The Library of Congress began in 1800 with a small appropriation to buy reference books and was originally housed in the U.S. Capitol's west center building.
Senate Park Fountain
History & Discoveries

Article

By the Numbers: Senate Fountain

By Andrew Dentamaro
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3 ...   Image The fountain consists of three separate components: the main basin, lower level basins and the reflecting pool. From the basin, the water is piped underground to three sculpted stone bubbler fountains in the north wall of the terrace. From there the water is again piped underground to the lower level of the reflecting pool. 6 ...   Image Number of lion-head spouts on the faces of the hexagon main basin. Water streams into a large circular basin with a scalloped stone rim, over which water spill …
One of the overlooked gems on Capitol Hill, the Senate fountain, is nestled between Union Station and the U.S. Capitol, atop the Senate upper park. A hexagonal granite monolith with high jets of water spouting from its center, the Architect of the Capitol received authorization for its construction
Pavers.
History & Discoveries

Article

Water Features Everywhere

By Sarah Davis
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Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or pool. Popular water features near the U.S. Capitol include Bartholdi Fountain , Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park fountains and the Neptune Fountain , but below are eight others to know around the campus. 1. Skylight Reflecting Pools On the Capitol Building 's east front plaza, two identical pools are installed. The center of each acts as a glass skylight for the Capitol Visitor Center complex located beneath.   Image …
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
The Summerhouse, obscured by the plants, vines and trees of Olmsted's original design, blends into the landscape.
History & Discoveries

Article

Olmsted's Never-Built Retreat

By Franklin Bradley
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He called the fountains Olmsted built on the east side of the U.S. Capitol, "a couple of Dutch spittoons." Beck had likely seen the Summerhouse before it was blended into its surroundings. While it was under construction, the entire brick building was visible. Much of the completed structure would be covered by soil that …
Before it was cut from the budget, Olmsted had begun designing a south summerhouse; his sketches for it have been rediscovered.
Portrait of Frederick Law Olmsted.

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Frederick Law Olmsted

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Regarded as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) is best known for designing the grounds of New York City's Central Park, the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
View of the north congressional stand under construction for the 2021 inauguration.
Programs & Events

Article

By the Numbers: Presidential Inauguration 2021

By Erin Nelson
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Much goes into the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Here are a few numbers that help set the stage for this special day.
Preparation for spring on Capitol grounds.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Falling Into Spring

By Erin Courtney
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"Our gardeners pull, till and amend more than 160 flower beds and plant springtime bulbs. Our maintenance shop is busy hauling materials for the gardeners, cleaning and making repairs to fountains, and servicing the Capitol Reflecting Pool . And our tree care specialists are preparing recently planted campus trees to not only survive cold weather but thrive in the warmer months," said Bechtol. Image Ralph LoJacono, Supervisor of the Gardening Division, is constantly watching the weather, the …
Spring is the season of new beginnings when the Earth seems to come to life again. But it is the year-round planning, preparation and hard work of the Capitol Grounds team that ensures buds bloom, vibrant colors delight and fragrant flowers excite the senses on Capitol Hill. Ted Bechtol, Capitol
Flower bed, outside, blue sky.

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U.S. Capitol Grounds

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Many of the trees on the grounds bear plaques that identify their species and their historic significance. The eastern part of the grounds contains the greatest number of historic and commemorative trees. At the East Capitol Street entrance to the Capitol Plaza are two large rectangular stone fountains. The bottom levels now contain plantings, but at times in the past they have been used to catch the spillover from the fountains. At other times, both levels have held plantings. Six massive red granite lamp piers topped with light fixtures in wrought-iron cages and 16 smaller bronze light fixtures …
The grounds immediately surrounding the U.S. Capitol are bordered by a stone wall and cover an area of 58.8 acres. Its boundaries are Independence Avenue on the south, Constitution Avenue on the north, First Street NE/SE on the east, and First Street NW/SW on the west.
View of a pagoda tree on the north side of the U.S. Capitol.
Public Notice

Article

Living On, The Olmsted Way

By AOC Staff
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Capitol Grounds , a delightful design he used to accentuate the U.S. Capitol Building. In his submission for the Architect of the Capitol's annual report, Olmsted wrote, "the ground is in design part of the Capitol, but in all respects subsidiary to the central structure." Olmsted incorporated hardscapes – fountains, lanterns, lamps, walkways and terrace walls – into his plan for the U.S. Capitol Grounds. He also was very careful and deliberate with his placement of trees to afford attractive views of the U.S. Capitol.   Olmsted explained his aesthetic, and the central role of trees in it, in an 1882 essay, in …
Two original Olmsted trees will be removed for safety reasons this spring.
Path in trees.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Arboretum in the City

By Carol Campos
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Capitol Grounds. This area includes lawns, parks, historic and commemorative trees, statuary, historic fountains and water features that provide an awe-inspiring setting for the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol Grounds were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in a Capitol campus expansion project performed from 1874 to 1892. Olmsted used trees heavily in his design to both frame the building …
Walking around the U.S. Capitol Grounds you can't help but be in awe of the impressive buildings and their historic meaning, what you probably don't know is that the U.S. Capitol Building is surrounded by an arboretum.
The Capitol Materials Cart being shown to visitors in Emancipation Hall.
Programs & Events

Article

Cool Tools: Capitol Materials Cart

By Erin Courtney
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Members of our trade teams showcased their expertise in electrical systems, masonry, sheet metal, woodcrafting and painting. The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team highlighted the Olmsted Plan and the gorgeous features of the grounds, from living trees and plants to historic fountains and walls. The United States Botanic Garden team encouraged visitors to participate in a wide variety of activities. Attendees also got a sneak peek at one of the agency's largest construction projects, the Cannon Renewal . Capitol Hill Day was a success. Adult, Family and Youth Program Coordinator …
The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.

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Peace Monument

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The white marble Peace Monument was erected in 1877-1878 to commemorate the naval deaths at sea during the Civil War.
Tulips and bronze fountains.

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Sustainability at the AOC

By Sarah Davis
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The Architect of the Capitol's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through our robust energy conservation and sustainability programs. The agency incorporates sustainable design and construction practices into the major projects executed throughout Capitol Hill.