Capitol

The Capitol is one of the most widely recognized buildings in the world. It is a symbol of the American people and their government, the meeting place of the nation's legislature, an art and history museum, and a tourist attraction visited by millions every year.

Touring and Visiting the Capitol

Learn more about getting around the Capitol, watching Congress in session, and security procedures.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Capitol

Senate Visitors Center Web Page

Architect of the Capitol Home Page

Capitol Visitor Center Web Page

Map of Capitol Grounds

Capitol History

Read essays on the history of the Capitol, including some dramatic moments, written by the Office of the Senate Historian.

Capitol Cornerstone Dedicated, July 4, 1851

Capitol Gas Explosion, November 6, 1898

Bomb Rocks Capitol, July 2, 1915

Capitol Besieged [The Great Depression], June 17, 1932

Historic Meeting Places of the Senate

The current Capitol building is not the only place in which the Senate has convened. These essays written by the Office of the Senate Historian will tell you more.

Meeting Places and Quarters

Senate Moves to Philadelphia, December 6, 1790

Senate Moves to Washington, November 17, 1800

Senate Convenes in Emergency Quarters, September 19, 1814

Historic Spaces

Read about the historic rooms and spaces in the Capitol.

The House Chamber

Brumidi Corridors (pdf)

Foreign Relations Committee Room (pdf)

Lyndon Baines Johnson Room (pdf)

      The Senate's Taj Mahal, June 25, 1964

Old Supreme Court Chamber

President's Room (pdf)

Rotunda

Senate Vestibule (pdf)

Vice President's Room (pdf)

Art and the Capitol

The works of art in the Capitol complex reflect the development of the United States and Congress. They range from bronze and marble statues to oil portraits and frescoed murals. Take a look at the Senate Art Web Page for more information about art in the Senate.

View of the Capitol at  Washington (engraving)

Minton Tile

Ceremonies in the Capitol

The Capitol is considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to eminent citizens by having their remains lie in state or in honor.

Those Who Have Lain in State or in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda (pdf)

The Catafalque

Henry Clay Dies, June 29, 1852

Books on the Capitol

Find out more about the Capitol by perusing bibliographies or by linking to books on the Government Printing Office Web site.

Capitol:  Art and Architecture (bibliography; pdf)

Capitol Hill in Fiction (bibliography; pdf)

Capitol Builder:  The Shorthand Journals of Montgomery Meigs  (pdf)

Constantino Brumidi:  Artist of the Capitol (pdf)

History of the United States Capitol (pdf)

Related Items

Interested in related materials? Take a look at these Virtual Reference Desk subjects for more information.

Art in the Senate

Senate Chamber

Senate Office Buildings

Washington, DC