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The most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world, the United States Capitol, has housed Congress since 1800.

The site of the Capitol was selected by President George Washington and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the designer of the new Federal City. The president laid the cornerstone on September 18, 1793, and the north wing was first occupied by Congress in 1800. In 1807 the south wing was occupied. Both wings were burned by British soldiers in 1814. Reconstruction of the wings was completed in 1819. The addition of the center section, topped by a low dome, signaled the completion of the original building in 1826.

For nearly two centuries, the Capitol has grown along with the nation. The 19th century brought the additions of larger wings and the cast-iron dome. Contemporary changes have included the extension of the East Front, completed In 1962, as well as restoration work which has recently included the West Front arid the Statue of Freedom.

#1 OLD SUPREME Court Chamber

Originally the Senate Chamber, this room was later reconstructed for use by the Supreme Court. The Court met here from 1 81 0 to 1 860. Here Chief Justice John Marshall established the foundations of American constitutional law.

The marble busts are of the first Chief Justices. In the lunette is a sculptural relief of "Justice." The umbrella vault ceiling designed and constructed by Latrobe is considered a masterpiece. The room has been restored to its mid-19th century appearance. [As you exit, go around the corner to the left and go up the spiral staircase.]

#2 OLD SENATE CHAMBER

The Senate met in this chamber from 1810 until 1859. This era was dominated by Senators Henry Clay, John Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, who fiercely debated the issues of slavery, territorial expansion, and economic policy affecting the new nation.

Later, when the Senate moved to its present location, the room was occupied by the Supreme Court from 1860 to 1935. The Chamber has been restored to its mid-19th century appearance, when the Senate last met here.

#3 ROTUNDA

The Rotunda was designed as the central ceremonial space of the Capitol.

Rising over the Rotunda is one of the largest domes in the world. Made of cast-iron and weighing about nine million pounds, it was completed in 1863. In the canopy, 180 feet above the floor, is the fresco (paint, on fresh plaster with pigments mixed in water, which becomes part of the wall after the plaster cures). "Apotheosis of George Washington," which was completed by Constantino Brumidi in 1865.

Many prominent Americans have lain in state in this room, among them Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and the Unknown Soldiers. Visiting heads of state have been received in the Rotunda, and memorable individuals and events celebrated.

The four large paintings by John Trumbull on the west side of the Rotunda illustrate scenes of the American Revolution. The other four paintings represent the discovery and colonization of America. Encircling the Rotunda is a frieze in fresco depicting over 400 years of American history, from Columbus to the Wright Brothers.

#4 NATIONAL STATUARY HALL

The House of Representatives met here from 1807 to 1857. Today this historic room is known as National Statuary Hall. In 1864 each state was invited to contribute two statues in marble or bronze of deceased citizens "illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military services." By 1933 the statues had become so numerous that Congress determined that portions of the collection could be displayed in other parts of the Capitol. [As you exit, turn right and go downstairs.]

#5 FIRST FLOOR HOUSE CORRIDORS

The Hall of Columns has 28 columns with capitals of tobacco leaves, flowers and thistles; it also houses a part of the National Statuary Hall collection. Three additional corridors are decorated with scenes designed by Allyn Cox. These are the Hall of Capitals, the Great Experiment Hall, and the Westward Expansion Hall.

#6 CRYPT

A crypt is commonly acknowledged as an underground vault or burial chamber, although there is no one buried in the Capitol. The original intent was to inter the remains of George and Martha Washington under the center of this room, but they remain at their home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. This unusual space, with its 40 Doric columns of Virginia sandstone, supports the Rotunda. Today, the Crypt houses sculpture, Capitol artifacts, and exhibits on the history of the building.

#7 BRUMIDI CORRIDORS

The decoration of the first floor Senate wing corridors was designed by Constantino Brumidi in the style of ancient Roman and Renaissance wall painting. Brumidi himself painted the semicircular historical scenes over the doorways in fresco. He also executed the portraits of Revolutionary heroes. Other artists executed the multitude of North American flora and fauna on the walls and ceilings. Some blank spaces were filled in, during this century with airplanes, a scene of the first moon landing, and a commemoration of the Challenger space shuttle astronauts. The floors are paved in many patterns with colorful Minton tile from England.

(For Congressional Chambers, see instructions on back.)

HOUSE CHAMBER

The House Chamber, first occupied in 1857, underwent a complete remodeling and structural renovation between 1949 and 1951. The ceiling contains seals of the 50 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia, as well as a carved glass eagle outlined in bronze. Twenty-three noted lawgivers are depicted in sculptural relief above the gallery doors. On the walls at the sides of the Speaker's rostrum are portraits of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette.

When the House is in session, the mace—the symbol of authority of the House—may be seen on the Speaker's right. The 435 members of the House of Representatives, four delegates and one resident commissioner are not assigned individual seats, but traditionally Republicans sit on the Speaker's left and Democrats on the right.

SENATE CHAMBER

The Senate Chamber was completed in 1859 and was renovated along with the House 90 years later. The Senators' desks include the 48 original mahogany desks made in 1819. With the addition of new states, similarly styled desks have been added. In the niches of the gallery are the busts of 20 vice presidents. In the ceiling is an interpretation of tile Great Seal of the United States. Many long-standing traditions are respected by the Senate. The 100 Senators choose a desk location on the basis of seniority within parties. The President of the Senate -the Vice President of the United Slates -has the Republicans to the left and the Democrats to the right.

Hours
March 1 - August 31 (peak season):
7 days a week, 9:30 am 8:00 pm

September 1 - February 28 (non-peak season):
7 days a week, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Congressional Chambers remain open as long as the House and Senate are in session.
The Capitol is closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Tours
(recorded information: 202/225-6827)

Self-Guided:
Enter through the ground level Law Library or Document Doors on the East Front.

Guided:
Enter by ascending the center steps on the East Front. Tours for groups of 15 or more will be lead by the Capitol Guide Service. Tours are offered every 10-15 minutes during regular hours with the exception of Saturday and Sunday during peak season when the last tour is at 3:45 pm. Sunday tours are offered after 1:30 pm and only during peak season.

Accessibility:
A ramped entrance is provided at the ground level Document Door on the East Front. Wheelchairs are available from the Capitol Police at the same entrance. Take the elevator at the other end of the lobby to the second floor where tours begin in the Rotunda. Further information: 202/224-4048 (voice)
202/224-4049 (TDD-TTY)

CONGRESSIONAL CHAMBERS

Not In session:
Access by the stairs or elevators at the ends of the hall on the first floor. Photography is prohibited.

In session:
Gallery passes are required. House passes may be obtained from your representative's office (Cannon, Longworth or Rayburn building) and Senate passes from your senator's office (Russell, Dirksen or Hart building). International guests may obtain passes from the appropriate Appointments Desk located at the ends of the first floor hall. Access the Senate gallery from the Law Library Door entrance on the East Front. Access the House Gallery from the Document Door entrance on the East Front.

Guidelines while in session:

• Check all items other than articles of clothing and handbags at the third floor check stands.
• Wearing of hats by men prohibited, except for religious purposes.
• Guests must remain seated and refrain from reading, writing, smoking, eating, drinking, applauding, or picture taking.
• Visitors under six are not permitted in the Senate Gallery. (no age limit in the House Gallery)
• Any disturbance or infraction of these rules will result in immediate removal from the gallery.

Produced under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate and the Senate Sergeant at Arms

June 1998
S. Pub. 105-49