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A House for All Seasons
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.
Delve deeper into the stories behind the people, art, history and grounds.
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History & Discoveries
Displaying 1 - 15 of 24
By justin kieffer | May 28, 2024
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.
By justin kieffer | September 26, 2023
An in-depth look at the most recent phase of the Capitol Building Paint Analysis and Plaster Repairs project.
By justin kieffer | March 21, 2023
The Russell Senate Office Building courtyard was recently restored as a supplement to the Russell Exterior Envelope Project.
By aimee jorjani | September 27, 2022
While light fixtures are like jewelry to a room, they can also set a tone for the significance of the space. Naturally, they also provide illumination to enable work and safe movement.
By devin dotson | February 15, 2022
Several U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) employees recently led projects inside the Conservatory to improve the growing spaces and showcase more of the permanent plant collection.
By justin kieffer | January 31, 2022
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has a deep bench of talented employees that continue to complete critical projects across the Capitol campus year after year.
By justin kieffer | June 24, 2021
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.
By kate holder | February 4, 2021
The large bronze and glass lanterns are located just off Garfield Circle and Peace Circle.
By laura condeluci | March 25, 2020
Like most beloved national treasures from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Capitol Building roof requires continuous care. Once a section has been replaced, it is regularly inspected as part of preventive maintenance.
By erin nelson | September 3, 2019
The Architect of the Capitol's Construction Division with the support of the AOC Library Buildings and Grounds jurisdiction worked together to complete the Fire Door Improvements project in the Thomas Jefferson Building, improving fire safety within this historic space.
By kristen frederick | February 12, 2019
The preservation of the Cannon House Office Building's historic windows and doors allows the building to retain much of its original character and charm, while increasing the building's functionality for those who work and visit within its walls. Learn more about the process.
By justin kieffer | January 11, 2018
All around the U.S. Capitol campus, there is something that you cannot avoid seeing as you look at the historic buildings: stone. Stone preservation will continue to be a priority of the Architect of the Capitol as the best way to maintain these buildings is to constantly monitor them.
By franklin bradley | December 15, 2016
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. 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.
By michele cohen | July 18, 2016
The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Curator for the Architect of the Capitol describes the restoration work on the bronze components and marble pedestals. When completed viewers will again see the subtle details of the original sculpture.
By erin courtney | May 10, 2016
To answer this question, we travel to a brick building in Vienna, Virginia, where the hum of an industrial-sized machine is unmistakable. Littering the fenced-in courtyard of the building are massive slabs of stone of all shapes and colors.