The United States Capitol Building Washington, DC, US Capitol and First Street NW The United States Capitol Building is one of the most well-known historic structures in Washington, DC. The structure has been erected, burned, rebuilt, enlarged, and renovated several times since its initial construction. The current version was approved by Congress on March 4, 1815, and completed four years later at a cost of $1,106,000. It is estimated to be worth about $5 billion today.
Its neoclassical design was chosen by Thomas Jefferson from among other architects. The main entrance is on the East Front between two six-column Doric porticos. Inside the lobby are statues of American revolutionaries including George Washington.
The Capitol was almost destroyed by fire in 1814. There were no deaths or injuries due to this incident but it did cause much damage to public records including those pertaining to military matters. The fire also caused an extensive remodeling of the building's interior which included adding more luxury boxes for members of Congress.
In 1861, just before the start of the Civil War, the House and Senate chambers were again damaged by fire. This time it was set off by arsonists who wanted to destroy federal property in protest of Lincoln's election as President. No lives were lost in this incident either but many priceless antiques were destroyed.
The United States Capitol is one of the most iconic and aesthetically significant structures in the country. For almost two centuries, it has held the meeting rooms of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Capitol, which began construction in 1793, has gone through several phases. The current building was designed by American architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in 1855.
Its neoclassical design features large blocks of white marble with blackened gray granite accents. The exterior is divided into five main sections: the portico (or entrance hall), the central block (where the chambers are located), the wings, and the dome (which covers the entire center block). The central block is topped by a tall, thin tower with additional rooms on its second floor. The entire structure rests on a high basement that contains the majority of the federal government offices-including the Library of Congress.
The grounds include many trees and other plants donated by foreign governments in recognition of U.S. diplomatic efforts. One such tree is called the Washingtonia, after the state of Washington where it grows. The Capitol's lawns are open to the public daily except for certain areas that are off-limits, such as the floors of the House and Senate chambers.
In addition to holding legislative meetings and conducting official business, the Capitol also serves as a monument and museum.
The Capitol Structure Washington, D.C.'s Capitol Hill The United States Capitol, often known as The Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the meeting location of the United States Congress and the seat of the United States federal government's legislative branch. It is located at 1 Constitution Avenue NW, in Washington, D.C.
The building is an architectural masterpiece by American architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Construction on the foundation for what would become America's national capital began in 1791 and was not completed until more than a century later. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution approving the design of Richardson's wife, Susan Augusta Willard Richardson, a former pupil of Thomas Jefferson's who had also been appointed Secretary of the Interior by President John Adams. The House of Representatives also approved the design, with minor changes, but they were made by another American architect, Benjamin Henry Latrobe.
Richardson was only 30 years old when he designed The Capitol. But he had already published three books on architecture and was considered one of the leading architects of his time. His other major project before he died in 1855 was Philadelphia's Walnut Street Church, which remains one of his most important works today. Like The Capitol, it is an eclectic mix of styles that reflect Richardson's interest in history and art.
The United States Capitol is one of the most aesthetically significant and symbolically significant structures in the world. For almost two centuries, it has held the Senate and House of Representatives meeting rooms. Nowadays, it also serves as a museum that houses many historical items related to American history.
The two buildings behind the Capitol are known as the Longworth House Office Building and the Edmund P. Lovell House. They are both part of the Congressional office complex and were built in the 1970s. The interior of both buildings is open to the public and they can be visited without paying admission to the Capitol.
The Longworth House Office Building is so named because it was originally home to the staff members of the longest-serving Speaker of the House, John W. Longstreet. It now houses offices for Members of Congress from Pennsylvania.
The Edmund P. Lovell House was built in 1874 for the treasurer of the Union Pacific Railroad. It now houses offices for officers of the House of Representatives.
These are the only two buildings behind the Capitol. If you ask any Washingtonian which building is more important, they will all say the Capitol itself. But if you want to learn more about the political process, or visit some great museums, then these buildings are certainly worth seeing.
The United States Capitol Building is located in Washington, D.C., on a rise 88 feet above the Potomac River, affording a westward view across the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument 1.4 miles away and the Lincoln Memorial 2.2 miles away. The current capitol building was built from 1856 to 1891 and is an example of Renaissance Revival architecture. It was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson with assistance from James McMillan. The exterior is composed of Indiana limestone, with bands of red brick and white marble used for key features such as the entrance staircase and door frames. Inside, the rotunda has marble columns and a wooden ceiling painted gold. There are also large paintings by American artists including Thomas Hart Benton and John Singleton Copley.
The building is home to the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two chambers of Congress meet at different times of the year in separate buildings, but they are located only yards apart on the Capitol grounds. The Supreme Court of the United States meets in the Capitol building during its annual fall session. In addition, several other federal government agencies have offices in the Capitol Building: the Architect of the Capitol, the Congressional Budget Office, the Government Accountability Office, and the Library of Congress.
The current capitol building was planned as a temporary structure while a new one was being built.
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