United States Capitol
Item
Title
United States Capitol
Description
In 1793, President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the Capitol, a building which saw more than 200 years of construction, redesigning, expansion, and renovation. By 1800, the building offered enough space for Congress, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the courts of the District of Columbia to operate inside. After British troops burned the Capitol in 1814, Congress moved out for five years. New architects added sections, rooms, terraces, the rotunda, a dome, and exterior landscaping. The Capitol borrows features from both ancient Roman and Greek structures. The Capitol Visitors' Center is the newest addition, built entirely underground, and is nearly 3/4 the size of the entire Capitol building.
Creator
William Thornton
Benjamin Henry Latrobe (Architect)
Charles Bulfinch (Architect)
Thomas U. Walter (Architect of addition)
August Schoenborn (Architect of addition)
Date
1793 (Construction began)
1814 (Damaged by fire)
1850 (Enlarged)
Coverage
Pre-1800s
1800-1829
1830-1859
topic
politics & protest
work & play