Displaying 691 - 720 of 971 Clear

Doing Good

Article

Moving Offices. Improving Lives.

By Franklin Bradley
|
"You've got to shine," says Tony Blue, a woodcrafter's helper working for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) through a partnership with So Others Might Eat (SOME). "That's what our SOME instructor told us — be on your best, do your best and always try to learn something different." So Others Might
Black and white photo.
History & Discoveries

Article

A "Slight" Capitol Contribution

By Kristen Frederick
|
Throughout the U.S. Capitol Building's more than 200 year history, many workers have labored in obscurity. Recently, we stumbled across a worker named Pringle Slight with an interesting (and largely forgotten) story.

Highlight

Gabriel “Gabe” Zimmerman Plaque

|
History & Discoveries

Article

More Historically Accurate: Lincoln or Vampire Hunter?

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
AOC Public Affairs Officer Matt Guilfoyle watches "Lincoln" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"-- and is surprised by which film more accurately depicts the U.S. Capitol. Instead of going to the movies, I am one of those people who "wait to see it on-demand" and recently had the opportunity to
A squirrel outside.
History & Discoveries

Article

Squirrels on Capitol Grounds

By Curator Division
|
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) was among the first to bring squirrels into Washington, D.C. and to place the "interesting little animals" on the Capitol Grounds. Architect of the Capitol Elliott Woods played a major role in this endeavor. The earliest discussion of squirrels in AOC's archival

Basic page

Senate Work Request

|
When accessing the Senate Work Request Application, you will be asked to login to the with your unique User ID and Password. Once logged in, your personal inbox displays all requests you have entered with the status of each request. From your Inbox you can: Review details of a work request Click on
Trees lining a body of water.
History & Discoveries

Article

A Cornerstone of American History

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
Walk in the footsteps of the masons and laborers who worked the quarry at Government Island in Aquia, Virginia, to gather stone for the U.S. Capitol more than 200 years ago. On a cold March day, I decided to take a field trip back in time to a place where you can run your hands along history, and

Highlight

Rosa Parks Statue

|
Rosa Parks' statue was unveiled in National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol, approximately 100 years after her birth on February 4, 1913. This statue depicts Parks seated on a rock-like formation of which she seems almost a part, symbolizing her famous refusal to give up her bus seat in
View of a room with columns.
Public Notice

Article

Rosa Parks Statue Joins U.S. Capitol Art Collection

By AOC Staff
|
Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, today shared some details about the Rosa Parks statue that is slated to join the U.S. Capitol Art Collection following an unveiling ceremony on February 27, 2013, hosted by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
History & Discoveries

Article

America's Greatest Engineer?

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
For an organization known as the Architect of the Capitol – celebrating engineers may not be without controversy. But as a communication professional, I am neutral in the timeless "battle" between these two professions. And, in truth, America's greatest buildings could not have been built without
History & Discoveries

Article

Windows of Capitol Hill

By Stephen T. Ayers
|
"Even at the United Nations, where legend has it that the building was designed so that there could be no corner offices, the expanse of glass in individual offices is said to be a dead giveaway as to rank. Five windows are excellent, one window not so great." – Enid Nemy Recently I was honored to
Behind the Scenes

Article

Capturing the Seasons

By Curator Division
|
We first mounted a digital camera atop the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in 2004. It was the perfect location to document the construction of the Capitol Visitor Center. Since the building was being constructed underground we needed to shoot from above to have a good view of the
Behind the Scenes

Article

A Legacy of Service

By Sharon Gang
|
You never forget your first real job. A good one, with a good mentor, can ingrain work habits that will be carried with you throughout your career. My first job after college was on Capitol Hill working as a staff assistant for then-Rep. Daniel K. Akaka. At the end of the 112th Congress, now-Senator
History & Discoveries

Article

Deciphering the Calendar Stone in the Capitol Rotunda

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Matt Guilfoyle investigates the myth of the Mayan Calendar at the U.S. Capitol. The Mayan Calendar has drawn a lot of attention lately, largely surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. It has even drawn focus to a lesser-known image in " The Frieze of American
Programs & Events

Article

Nearly Nine Million Visitors Later

By Sharon Gang
|
December 2 has been an important anniversary at the U.S. Capitol since 1863 when the final section of the Statue of Freedom was installed atop the dome. The accomplishment was heralded by gun salutes from the forts that ringed Washington. Since 2008, however, December 2 has signified another
History & Discoveries

Article

Capturing Bartholdi Fountain

By Curator Division
|
I took this photo of Bartholdi Fountain just after it returned from its recent restoration in 2011. The fountain had been off site for more than two years so this photo would help reintroduce this stunning sculpture to the world. One of the key elements of the restoration was restoring the glass

Basic page

National Statuary Hall Collection By Location

By Sarah Davis
|
Statues are currently located in National Statuary Hall, the Capitol Visitor Center, the Crypt, the Hall of Columns, the Rotunda and various areas throughout the House and Senate wings of the Capitol. This list sorts the statues by their location in the U.S. Capitol building.
Close-up detail of Abraham Lincoln's statue in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
History & Discoveries

Article

Lincoln and the Capitol

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
One of the greatest privileges of working for the Architect of the Capitol is knowing we have our hands on history everyday and we are afforded the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the giants of America's past. Perhaps no other person looms larger in that history than Abraham Lincoln. The
Programs & Events

Article

Capturing Autumn

By Curator Division
|
Michael Dunn, Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) chief of photography, draws upon his many years of experience to share tips for photographing the U.S. Capitol Grounds in fall.
The Capitol Dome at night, as seen behind one of the East Front Olmsted fountains.
Behind the Scenes

Article

While You Were Sleeping – AOC Masons at Work

By Lori Taylor
|
Masons working at the Architect of the Capitol get the campus ready for another day before the rest of the employees on Capitol Hill even wake. They have a small window of time very early in the day to complete any tasks that may interfere with visitors or the work of staff.
Behind the Scenes

Article

The Accessible Capitol Visitor Center

By Sharon Gang
|
Although my disability from knee surgery is temporary, it has given me the opportunity to see Capitol Hill from a different perspective. Never have I appreciated the Capitol's consistently functioning escalators and elevators more than over the past month. From the elevators that take me from the
Crowd in stands.
Behind the Scenes

Article

One Team, One Mission, One Day

By Sharon Gang
|
Presidential inaugural ceremonies at the United States Capitol take a team effort to pull together, and planning for the event begins as soon as the previous Inauguration ends. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Architect of the Capitol's role in this event.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Saving Life & Limb: AOC Arborists

By Franklin Bradley
|
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
Behind the Scenes

Article

Master Illusionists of Capitol Hill

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
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
Drawing of a room full of people.
History & Discoveries

Article

Path to Capitol During the Civil War

By Matt Guilfoyle
|
As a professional commuter, every day I enter my "bubble" – looking at my phone, listening to music, reading my Kindle – as I travel from my home in Bristow, Virginia, to my office at the U.S. Capitol. It is easy to forget to look-up and appreciate that in a single morning commute on the Virginia
People standing around a bust.
History & Discoveries

Article

Meeting a Capitol Artist

By Sharon Gang
|
Two new bookmarks I worked on for the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) celebrate Constantino Brumidi, the artist who painted the Apotheosis of Washington in the eye of the Capitol Rotunda and murals throughout the Capitol. I brought a few to my Mom, who is an accomplished artist, and encouraged her to
Exterior view of a building.
Behind the Scenes

Article

In Pictures: A Green Roof Comes Alive

By Curator Division
|
In 2011, the 7,200 square foot middle section of the Dirksen Senate Office Building roof was replaced with a green roof. What had previously been an unusable outdoor tennis court was transformed by plantings called sedums, which is a drought-resistant plant that stays green all year long. Installing
Person in front of the United States of America flag.

Person

Sherri D. Jordan

By Sarah Davis
|
The Chief Financial Officer oversees the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) billion-dollar budget as well as provides stewardship over its financial resources that sustain the financial operation needs of the offices/jurisdictions and central services of the AOC.
Photo of a person lying on a desk.
History & Discoveries

Article

AOC Trailblazer: Georgia Shaw

By Kristen Frederick
|
I learned of Georgia Shaw's amazing story when her daughter, Rebecca Shaw, reached out to us on the Architect of the Capitol's Facebook page. I was immediately intrigued when Rebecca said that the AOC logo had been put on Georgia's memorial plaque after she died. What I discovered, however, is that
Painted portrait of Edward Clark, Fifth Architect of the Capitol.

Person

Edward Clark

|
Appointed August 30, 1865; Died in office, January 6, 1902 Edward Clark was appointed Architect of the Capitol Extension in 1865 to fill the vacancy caused by Thomas U. Walter's resignation. Under way for over 14 years, the interior of the U.S. Capitol extension was at this point complete, and only