United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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History, Art & Archives of the
U.S. House of Representatives

"As Large as Life": Lafayette's Portrait

by Art on February 13, 2013

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette/tiles/non-collection/2/2-18-lafayette-portrait_2005_018_000.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
What becomes a military legend most? For the Marquis de Lafayette, dashing hero of the American Revolution, the portrait now in the House Chamber was just the thing. Arriving from France in 1824, it was a huge hit across the nation. Becoming the most famous image of Lafayette during his wide-ranging tour of the United States that same year, the portrait appeared on posters, memorabilia, and even on currency.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Chamber

How Loud Is a Gavel?

by Art on January 10, 2013

Gavels for the Speaker/tiles/non-collection/1/1-08-bouquet-2007_111_003pq.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Photography Collection
The commanding rap of a gavel punctuates each meeting of the House of Representatives. House gavels have always been practical wooden mallets, perfect for grabbing the attention of a loud, large group of legislators. But how loud is a gavel in the House?

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Categories: Opening Day, Speakers of the House, Art & Artifacts

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Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov