Architect of the Capitol - News, Blogs, Events & Projects

Celebrate Endangered Species Day!

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 EDT

This event has already occurred — Endangered Species Day is an opportunity to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that can help conserve our nation's disappearing plant species. Drop by, or spend the day at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) to see more than 20 booths focusing on endangered plants and plant conservation. There will also be tours of the USBG's endangered species and native plant collections, children's activities focusing on endangered plants and pollinators and inspiring activities that you can do at home to protect the...

A "Slight" Capitol Contribution

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:46:05 EDT

Kristen Frederick serves as Congressional Liaison for the Architect of the Capitol.

Throughout the U.S. Capitol Building’s 220-year history, there have been many workers who have labored in obscurity, their names forever lost to the passage of time. Recently when I was researching the third Architect of the Capitol, Charles Bulfinch, I stumbled across a Capitol worker with an interesting (and largely forgotten) story.

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A Few of My Favorite Things

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:10:46 EDT

Sharon Gang, Communications & Marketing Manager for the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) explores the CVC’s new exhibit, Conflict and Compromise.

Every time there is a new display of documents and artifacts in the Exhibition Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), I make a point of examining the display closely for my...

Tree Removal

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:30:48 EDT

The Architect of the Capitol will be removing three red oak trees in the Senate parks on D Street, between Delaware and First Streets. Two of the trees are over-mature and pose a hazard with significant die-back in the tops and extensive cavities and decay in the trunks. The third tree has been damaged by a previous lightning strike. This work will take place over the weekends of April 27 and May 4. New red oaks to replace these trees will be planted later this year.

Gabriel Zimmerman Meeting Room Dedicated at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:17:57 EDT

On April 16, 2013, pursuant to H Res 364, the U.S. House of Representatives dedicated Meeting Room HVC-215 in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center to the memory of Gabriel “Gabe” Zimmerman. The plaque includes the following inscription:

GABRIEL ZIMMERMAN MEETING ROOM GABRIEL “GABE” ZIMMERMAN COMMITTED PUBLIC SERVANT; FRIEND TO ALL 1980-2011 THIS MEETING ROOM IS DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF GABE ZIMMERMAN, WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED SERVING THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA WHILE CARRYING OUT HIS DUTIES AS AN AIDE TO REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE GIFFORDS. HIS DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY AND...

More Historically Accurate: Lincoln or Vampire Hunter?

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:56:37 EDT

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 catch up on two of last year’s releases featuring our 16th president -- “Lincoln” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.” Since I work at the U.S. Capitol Building I’m always interested in seeing how movies like these portray life at the building during the Civil War era...

Squirrels on Capitol Grounds

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:39:42 EDT

When walking across the Capitol Grounds there is one critter that can consistently be seen out and about – the squirrel. When did squirrels first come to Washington, D.C. and how did they end up here? Archivist Andria Leo took a look through AOC’s historical records to investigate the history of the squirrel at the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol 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 records is from August 1899, when, in...

U.S. Botanic Garden Administration Building Repairs

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:39:33 EDT

Starting the week of April 15, 2013 continuing through July 2013, AOC stonemasons will begin repairs of the U.S. Botanic Garden Administration Building’s masonry exterior. This work will repair all the cracks in the building’s exterior, replace the caulk with mortar on the building’s stone and clean the stone. This work will require scaffolding the building and will be conducted in a manner to ensure safety and minimal impact to staff, visitors, plants and events.

U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory Stone Repairs

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:27:25 EDT

The exterior stone of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory will be undergoing stabilization and temporary repairs starting April 15, 2013, with work continuing until September 2013. These temporary repairs at the roof level of the Conservatory will stop water infiltration into the building until a larger overall repair can be conducted in the future. Work will take place from a 45-foot lift and will be conducted in a manner to ensure safety and minimal impact to staff, visitors, plants and events.

Top 5 Spots to Enjoy Spring on Capitol Grounds

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:52:00 EDT

Spring in Washington, D.C. is one of the most beautiful times to visit the nation’s Capitol; it is also the busiest. The warmer weather and blooming of plants makes Capitol Hill picturesque and inviting. One of the most popular attractions in the city are the beautiful cherry blossoms on the Tidal Basin, but did you know you can also see more than 100 cherry trees on the U.S. Capitol Grounds?

The Senate Parks (bordered by Constitution Avenue, Louisiana Avenue, Delaware Avenue and Union Statue) has the largest concentration of these trees, but the oldest trees are located on...