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History & Discoveries

Article

Finding a Lasting Impression

By Sarah Davis
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Montgomery C. Meigs played a critical role in building a number of well-known landmarks in D.C. To ensure his credit would be preserved in history, Meigs was notorious for seizing opportunities to get his name inscribed on any items related to these monumental projects that he could. Meigs' name on
Behind the Scenes

Article

A Passion for Pedaling

By Jamie Herr
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In 2014, Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers stood before a large group of bicycle enthusiasts to accept a Bicycle Friendly Business Honorable Mention Award from the League of American Bicyclists. In his speech he challenged his staff to get the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) designated as a
Exterior view of a building.

Project

Supreme Court Façade Restoration - West

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The building, designed by architect Cass Gilbert, was constructed between 1929 and 1935. The classically detailed exterior is clad with white Vermont Imperial Danby marble with bronze windows and ornamental bronze doors, railings and light fixtures. In December 2005, a modillion from the pediment
Programs & Events

Article

Lend Me Your Ears

By Andrew Dentamaro
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"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." ― Plato The laying of the U.S. Capitol's cornerstone on September 18, 1793, would not have been complete without appropriate celebration. When President George Washington led a company of
Jets of water and a piece of stone.
Projects

Article

What's Happening Behind the Capitol Scaffolding?

By Erin Courtney
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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. Carving of a new rosette begun by a computerized numerical
Up-close view of a statue's face.

Project

Statue of Freedom Conservation

By Lori Taylor
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The Statue of Freedom is regularly maintained to keep it in good condition.
Sculpture with three faces.
History & Discoveries

Article

Mothers in Marble (and Bronze)

By Erin Courtney
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In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. From historical figures to allegorical representations, images of women are found throughout the U.S. Capitol Building in the art and architecture. While not the only mother in the
Smokestacks, flowers, fountain.

Project

Cogeneration at the Capitol Power Plant

By Lori Taylor
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At the Capitol Power Plant we are planning for the future. Through rigorous analysis of various energy technologies and broad consultation with leading experts, we explored options for achieving future energy savings, reducing environmental impacts and maintaining a reliable source of chilled water
Behind the Scenes

Article

Promoting a Culture of Conservation and Energy Reduction

By Laura Condeluci
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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
Behind the Scenes

Article

Energy Savings Performance Contracts Help AOC Exceed Energy Goal

By Erin Courtney
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The Energy Policy Act of 1992 authorized the use of private sector financing to implement energy conservation methods and energy-efficiency technologies by federal entities. Congress provided a mechanism, through Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC), to accelerate investment in cost-effective
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, Thomas Jefferson

By Erin Courtney
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Our nation's third president has his successes, as well as himself, memorialized in more than 10 pieces of art in the U.S. Capitol Building.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Lighting the Way to Energy Savings

By Franklin Bradley
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The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) achieved a 30 percent total energy reduction by the end of fiscal year 2015 that was mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Senate Jurisdiction's efforts were integral to the AOC meeting its agency-wide goal. One of the key-energy saving
Pavers.
History & Discoveries

Article

Water Features Everywhere

By Sarah Davis
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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
People working on pipes.
Projects

Article

Stopple Valve System

By R.C. "Skip" Vaughn
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Of the many challenges associated with maintaining and renovating a building that is more than 100 years old, one of the most difficult is working on the building's water systems. In buildings such as the Cannon House Office Building, the traditional method of fixing a water issue is to drain the
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC Achieves 10-Year Energy Reduction Goal

By Laura Condeluci
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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
Doing Good

Article

A Veteran Helping Veterans

By Sharon Gang
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Paddle. Fish. Heal. "I like helping people, and veterans are at the top of the list of people I want to help." Before Electrician Martin Blanchet joined the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) in 2003, he had served in the Army twice, first from 1984 to 1988 and then from 1997 to 2003. His service
From the Architect

Article

Architect's Notebook: Inspiration by Detail

By Stephen T. Ayers
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The beautiful buildings on the Capitol campus are full of thousands of decorative details. So many details in fact, that visitors and workers alike will often see something new each time they are here. This richness and depth inspire me every day. I've always wanted to be an architect. So naturally
History & Discoveries

Article

Celebrating Irish-American Heritage Month

By Erin Courtney
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According to the U.S. Census, about 33 million Americans claim Irish ancestry – that's about five times the population of the entire Emerald Isle. March is Irish-American Heritage Month and the President issues a proclamation commemorating the occasion each year. For Americans of Irish heritage
Two people standing looking at something.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Passing the Torch

By Erin Courtney
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Greek philosopher Socrates once said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." The heritage assets managed by the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Curator Division document the historic moments and changing attitudes of the American people. Walking through the U.S
History & Discoveries

Article

Artfully Yours, James Madison

By Erin Courtney
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March 16 marks the birthday of our nation's fourth president. James Madison co-wrote the Federalist papers and sponsored the Bill of Rights. To celebrate this special occasion, we are highlighting the art featuring or including Madison on the Capitol campus. The most visible homage to the "Father of
History & Discoveries

Article

Cool Tools: A Tuning Fork?

By Franklin Bradley
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As the temperature cooled down this winter, we asked Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees to join a hot (and friendly) competition – AOC Cool Tools – and share the cool tools they use to get their jobs done. Every employee, in every job we do, uses tools, from a crane that lifts heavy loads to
Person working on machinery.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Behind the Scenes: Senate Subway Branch

By Elizabeth Yoder
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The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Senate Subway Branch operates two subway systems to transport senators, staff and escorted visitors between
Behind the Scenes

Article

Celebrating Women's History Month

By Erin Courtney
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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
History & Discoveries

Article

The Lion – A Mane Attraction

By Sarah Davis
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With its prominent mane, the lion has long been a symbol in art and architecture representing royalty, stateliness and bravery. Through these appearances in paintings, sculpture and ornamental adornment to buildings, the "king of the jungle" often finds itself out of the wild and in more urban areas
History & Discoveries

Article

Honoring Black History Month

By Andrew Dentamaro
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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
People standing outside.
Public Notice

Article

Flowers Stink... but not to the Helen Hayes Awards

By USBG Staff
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Kennedy Center Musical Co-commissioned with the United States Botanic Garden Nominated The Helen Hayes Awards announced the 2016 nominees for excellence in professional theatre on February 1. The Kennedy Center musical, Flowers Stink, which was co-commissioned with the U.S. Botanic Garden, received
View of column capitals inside a room.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Focusing on Safety First at the Largest Library in the World

By Erin Courtney
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In 1800, the Joint Committee on the Library—the oldest continuous Joint Committee of the U.S. Congress—was established and the Library of Congress was created. At that time, Congress appropriated a small amount of money to begin buying reference books. The city of Washington, D.C. was in its infancy
Doing Good

Article

Rising to the Challenge: Elevator Mechanic Challenges Students

By Laura Condeluci
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For the past six years, Paul Miller, Elevator Mechanic Supervisor, has called on his experience with elevators at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create an elevator training program for freshmen at the Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School (Phelps). It's one way Miller
Snow at the U.S. Capitol.
Public Notice

Article

The Big Dig

By AOC Staff
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Throughout the historic storm, approximately 350 AOC employees worked around-the-clock. High winds and the vast amount of snow slowed progress on Saturday, but clear skies and sunshine on Sunday and Monday provided the perfect weather for the big dig. The AOC operated more than 100 pieces of snow
Doing Good

Article

Mentoring Comes Full Circle

By Laura Condeluci
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When Barron Dill ( pictured above, second from right) was in college, he had the opportunity through his scholarship program to be mentored by professionals in the engineering field. It was an experience that deeply impacted him and led to his decision to serve as a mentor himself in college. He