Capitol Hill - U.S. Capitol |
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U.S. Capitol 1st Street, Between Independence and Constitution Avenues Southwest Washington, D.C. Metro Stop: Capitol South (House Side) and Union Station (Senate Side)
The 19th Century brought the additions of larger wings and the cast-iron dome. Construction was suspended in 1861 so that the Capitol could be used as a military barracks, hospital, and bakery for the Civil War. In 1862, however, construction resumed because President Abraham Lincoln believed "the Capitol must go on, just as the Union must go on."
Of Special Interest to Wisconsinites
In 1864 each state was invited to contribute two statues of prominent citizens in the state’s history for display in the Capitol. Wisconsin’s statues are that of Jacques Marquette, given in 1896 and located on the second floor in the House connecting corridor, and Robert M. LaFollette, give in 1929 and located in Statuary Hall.
Times of Operation
The Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. The Capitol is open for tours Monday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Occasionally, a special event, such as a visit by a head of state, may temporarily suspend guided tours. For recorded information on any possible special events, you may call the Guide Service's recorded information line at (202) 225-6827.
Free guided public tours are given Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last tour conducted at 3:30 p.m. Tours last approximately one hour. All public tours of the Capitol are accessible. Visitors must obtain free tickets for tours at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk, located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol (near the intersection of First Street, S.W., and Independence Avenue). Ticket distribution begins at 9:00 a.m. daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are distributed one per person and are for the same day admission only. Ticket holders will be directed to the South Visitor Receiving Facility, located south of the Capitol, to begin their tour. Maximum tour size is 40 people.
Before entry into the Capitol, all visitors are screened by a magnetometer, and all items that visitors may bring inside the building are screened by an x-ray devise. Please review the list of prohibited items visitors are not allowed to bring into the Capitol and/or Galleries. The Capitol Police are authorized to make exceptions if a prohibited item is determined to be necessary and required to serve child care, medical, or other special needs.
The Congressional Special Services Office (CSSO) provides information about tours for the disabled. The CSSO telephone number is (202) 224-4048 (voice) or (202) 224-4049 (TTY).
Construction is in progress of a Capitol Visitor Center. Because visitation guidelines will be changing as the construction process goes along, you are encouraged to call the Capitol Guide Service recorded information line for the latest tour information before your visit. That number is (202) 225-6827.
Visiting the Galleries
The galleries of the Senate and House of Representatives are open to view whenever either body is in session. The galleries are also open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. when the Senate and House are not in session. Gallery passes are required to enter the gallery and can obtained from your Congressional Representatives. My office has gallery passes available for both the House and Senate Chambers.
Congressional Reserved Tours Information
U.S. Capitol Links Places of Interest Nearby
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Wausau Office 401 5th Street, Suite 406A Wausau, WI 54403-5468 (715) 842-5606 |
Washington DC Office 2314 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515-4907 (202) 225-3365 |
Superior Office 1401 Tower Avenue, Suite 307 Superior, WI 54880-1553 (715) 398-4426 |
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