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The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Home | U.S. Capitol - Visitor Center. Welcome to the U.S. Capitol! Book a Tour. Tuesday June 25, 2024 Open Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Upcoming Events at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. See all events on the Calendar. event. Jun 25 2024 | 10:30 - 11:30am. Capitol Conversation - Curator Talk. event. Jun 25 2024 | 11am - 12pm.
It is crowned by a magnificent white dome that overlooks the city of Washington and has become a widely recognized icon of the American people and government. The U.S. Capitol's design was selected by President George Washington in 1793 and construction began shortly thereafter.
Construction of the Capitol began in 1793. In November 1800, Congress, along with the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court, moved into the newly completed north wing. The south wing was completed by 1807, but in 1814, the British burned the Capitol during the War of 1812.
- 1793 – 1829
- 1830 – 1868
- 1869 – 1902
- 1903 – 1970
- 1970 – Present
President Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in the building's southeast corner on September 18, 1793, with Masonic ceremonies. Work progressed under the direction of three architects in succession. Stephen H. Hallet (an entrant in the earlier competition) and George Hadfieldwere eventually dismissed by the Commissioners because of...
The Capitol was by this point already an impressive structure. At ground level, its length was 351 feet 7-1/2 inches and its width was 282 feet 10-1/2 inches. Up to the year 1827--records from later years being incomplete--the project cost was $2,432,851.34. Improvements to the building continued in the years to come (running water in 1832, gas lig...
Clark continued to hold the post of Architect of the Capitol until his death in 1902. During his tenure, the U.S. Capitol underwent considerable modernization. Steam heat was gradually installed in the Old Capitol. In 1873 the first elevator was installed, and in the 1880s electric lighting began to replace gas lights. Between 1884 and 1891, the ma...
During the remainder of Woods's service, which ended with his death in 1923, no major structural work was required on the Capitol Building. The activities performed in the building were limited chiefly to cleaning and refurbishing the interior. David Lynn, the Architect of the Capitol from 1923 until his retirement in 1954, continued these tasks. B...
Following the 1971 appointment of George M. White, FAIA, as Architect of the Capitol, the building was both modernized and restored. Electronic voting equipment was installed in the House chamber in 1973; facilities were added to allow television coverage of the House and Senate debates in 1979 and 1986, respectively; and improved climate control, ...
The Capitol Visitor Center welcomes visitors from across the United States and around the world. All tours, programs and activities are free of charge. Visitors enter the Capitol Visitor Center, which is located underground on the east side of the Capitol.
3 days ago · United States Capitol, meeting place of the United States Congress and one of the most familiar landmarks in Washington, D.C. Possibly the most culturally and historically important building in the United States, it has been home to Congress since 1800.
