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History & Discoveries
Each month AOC’s photography branch will break down an iconic photo of Capitol Hill and share tips and tricks for snapping beautiful images at the Capitol. This month AOC photographer Susanne Bledsoe walks us through a shot of Bartholdi Fountain in Bartholdi Park on the Capitol Grounds.
Today, one cannot walk far in the U.S. Capitol without seeing a likeness or connection to President Abraham Lincoln and the tumultuous period he served in Congress and the White House. A good place to begin walking in his footsteps is outside on the East Front in the shadow of the Capitol Dome.
The men and women who comprise the Architect of the Capitol painting craft across Capitol Hill are master illusionists ensuring the buildings inspire all who visit with their grandeur and beauty. Find out how our painters use tricks of the trade to turn wood into marble and metal into wood.
Those commuting to Washington, D.C., via the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) traverse places forever connected by events that occurred more than 150 years ago during the Civil War. Follow the path into the city beginning with the Battle of Kettle Run at Bristoe Station.
Sharon Gang, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Capitol Visitor Center, describes her experience meeting Jimilu Mason, an American artist with works on display at the U.S. Capitol building.
What had previously been an unusable outdoor tennis court on the Dirksen Senate Office Building roof has been transformed by plantings, drought-resistant and stays green all year long. View photos of the steps along the way and the final aerial image which shows a special design the pathways make.
Georgia Shaw was the first woman hired by the AOC as a draftsman, leading to a fulfilling 29-year career with the agency. After Georgia passed, her daughter honored her mother’s legacy by including the AOC’s logo on the memorial plaque that marks her grave.
The Capitol Power Plant has undergone significant changes as new buildings were built, and more modern and efficient equipment was installed, but what hasn't changed is the commitment of the staff. The plant's staff are highly-skilled and extremely dedicated — many have worked there for decades.
The iconic "Walter dome" atop the Capitol is recognized around the world as a symbol of American strength and freedom. During its construction from 1855 to 1866, perhaps the greatest threat to the dome was the outbreak of the Civil War. To protect the capital city, a garrison of Union soldiers was stationed within the Capitol.