United States Capitol VISITOR GUide WELCOME TO THE U.S. CAPITOL our visit to the GUIDED TOURS OF THE U.S. CAPITOL historic U.S. Guided tours of the U.S. Capitol begin at the Orientation Theaters on YCapitol begins the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. “Out of Many, One,” as you enter the Capitol a 13-minute film, illustrates how this country established a new form Visitor Center. With of government; highlights the vital role that Congress plays in the its soaring spaces and daily lives of Americans; and introduces you to the building that skylight views of the houses the U.S. Congress. Capitol Dome, the Tours are free, but tour passes Capitol Visitor Center are required. 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., welcomes you on a Monday – Saturday journey of discovery. The U.S. Capitol is home to Advance Passes: Tours may the U.S. Congress and its The Apotheosis of George Washington be booked in advance online two legislative bodies, the at www.visitthecapitol.gov, U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Through through the offices of your films, exhibits, and tours, you will learn about how Congress Senators or Representative, works, how this magnificent building was built, and how or through the Office of citizens can participate in this extraordinary experiment called Visitor Services by calling representative democracy. 202.226.8000. The U.S. Capitol stands as a monument to the American people. Same-Day Passes: A limited number of passes are available each It is where the issues facing the nation are considered, debated, day at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level and written into law. The U.S. Capitol also houses an important of the Capitol Visitor Center. collection of American art, and it is an architectural achievement in its own right. History is made at the U.S. Capitol, and the SPECIAL TOURS Capitol Visitor Center is your entryway to that history. AND PROGRAMS On December 18, 2007, Congress passed legislation to name Learn more about the history of the Capitol Visitor Center’s central space “Emancipation Hall” Congress and the Capitol by to recognize the contributions of enslaved laborers who helped participating in a special tour or activity. build the U.S. Capitol. Emancipation Hall, on the lower level of Check for updated schedules in the the Capitol Visitor Center, is a central gathering place for visitors brochure racks or at the Information coming to see the Capitol. Desks in Emancipation Hall. UNITED STATES CAPITOL VISITOR GUIDE 2 EXHIBITION HALL (Lower Level) Explore the only exhibition in the country dedicated to telling the story of Congress and the construction of the U.S. Capitol. Exhibit highlights include rarely- seen historic documents from THE CAPITOL GROUNDS the National Archives and the The Capitol is set amidst 58.8 acres of winding paths, memorial trees, Library of Congress; artifacts inviting benches, and beautiful flowers that are changed seasonally. The from around the country; and grounds today reflect a plan completed in 1892 by renowned landscape an 11-foot-tall touchable model architect Frederick Law Olmsted. As you stroll the grounds, note the of the Capitol Dome. You may watch the proceedings on the floors magnificent bronze and stone fountains and lanterns on the East Plaza, of Congress at the House and Senate theaters when Congress is in which were restored to their original glory during construction of the session. Interactive stations help you to discover more about Congress, Capitol Visitor Center. its Members, and the Capitol. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Saturday The Capitol Grounds have played host to presidential inaugurations, WATCHING CONGRESS IN SESSION Independence Day concerts, and the yearly visits of more than three million people. We invite you Passes: The Senate and House Galleries are open to visitors to enjoy this historic landscape. whenever either body is in session; however, the Galleries are not included in the tour of the U.S. Capitol. Passes are required and may be obtained from the offices of your Senators or Representative. MUst SEE ON YOUR visit Access to the Galleries begins on the upper level of the Capitol Special Tours, Talks, and Family Programs — Visitor Center. International visitors may inquire at the House and see This Week at the Capitol Visitor Center or ask Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level. Capitol Visitor Center staff for schedules House Hours: When the House is not in session, visitors with passes Table from President Abraham Lincoln’s Second are admitted to the Gallery from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Inauguration — made from surplus ironwork cast for the Capitol Dome (Exhibition Hall) Lincoln Table, Friday. Last entry into the Gallery may be prior to 4:15 p.m. based The Massachusetts on demand. The Gallery is closed on weekends and holidays unless View of Dome through Skylights — from the lower Historical Society the House is in session. The House Gallery is subject to unplanned, or upper level of the Visitor Center, just look up! temporary closures when the House is not in session. For additional The Plaster Model for the Statue of Freedom — used to cast the information on the House of Representatives please visit www.house.gov. bronze Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome (Emancipation Hall) Statue Collection — 24 of 100 statues of the National Statuary Hall Senate Hours: The Senate Gallery is open during scheduled Collection are located throughout the Capitol Visitor Center, including recesses of one week or more, and visitors with passes are admitted 14 statues in Emancipation Hall (see reverse side of from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Gallery is this brochure for statue descriptions) closed on weekends and holidays unless the Senate is in session and House and Senate Galleries — entry on upper level during any recess or adjournment of less than one week. Senate of Visitor Center – get passes from your Senators or Gallery hours are subject to change. For information please call Representative 202.224.0057. Slave Labor Commemorative Marker — sandstone marker acknowledging the role that LIBRARY OF CONGRESS enslaved laborers played in the construction of the Capitol Visitors have direct access from the Capitol (Emancipation Hall) Visitor Center to the historic Thomas Jefferson Capitol Dome Model — touchable model correct in Building of the Library of Congress, one of every architectural detail, 1/20 the size of the original (Exhibition Hall) the nation’s great treasures, via the Library of Gavel — used by President George Washington during the ceremony to lay Congress Tunnel. The entrance to the tunnel is the cornerstone of the Capitol in 1793 (Exhibition Hall) located on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Catafalque — support for the caskets of Presidents and other eminent Center near the House Appointment Desk. citizens during lying-in-state ceremonies (Exhibition Hall) UNITED STATES CAPITOL VISITOR GUIDE 3 South North Upper Level y Senate Galler Entrance House Gallery Entrance Legend d Information Desks / First Ai Tour Passes North Gift Legend Elevator Shop Information Desks / Escalator Emancipation Hall Tour Passes South (Lower Level) Restrooms * Gift Elevator Shop Senate Appointment Escalator Desk Visitors may request wheelchairs at the North House Restrooms Appointment Exit Coat Check, located to the right of the visitor North k Desk Coat Chec entrance on the Upper Level, or from Capitol Tunnel to South Library of Congress Exit k Exit Visitor Center staff. All restrooms are accessible. Coat Chec Security Screening * A Family restroom is available at all restroom locations. Exit Security Screening North h Entrance South South Nort Lower Level Entrance South North GIFT SHOPS Gift Shops (Upper Level): Exhibition Hall A unique selection of merchandise inspired by the Capitol’s art and architectural treasures, fun and North Entrance n educational gifts, books, jewelry, Orientatio South Theater and exciting custom-designed n Orientatio products make excellent souvenirs. Theater 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Saturday Entrance Entrance Senate Appointment Emancipation Hall Desk House AppointmentDesk Entrance Entrance Restaurant DINING Restaurant (Lower Level): Freshly-made soups, salads, specialty entrées, pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages reflect h the diverse bounty of America. South Nort 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Saturday UNITED STATES CAPITOL VISITOR GUIDE 4 Statues in the Capitol Visitor Center from Joseph Ward (1838–1889) South Dakota, Marble by Bruno Beghé, 1963. Missionary and educator. Leader in the National Statuary Hall Collection movement for South Dakota statehood. Ordained The National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol is comprised of statues in Yankton, capital of Dakota Territory. Opened donated by individual states to honor persons notable in their history. Two Yankton Academy and was instrumental in statues are contributed by each state. Twenty-four of the 100 state statues founding Yankton College. Drafted State are located in the Capitol Visitor Center and are among the most recently- constitution, and composed State motto and donated statues. The statues in the Capitol Visitor Center also represent description for the State seal. the diversity of the country and the contributions made by its citizens. The William Edgar Borah following 14 statues are located in Emancipation Hall. (1865 –1940) Idaho, Bronze by Bryant Baker, 1947. Dates in italics indicate year that the statue was added to the Collection. Lawyer, U.S. Senator 1907–1940. As Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, sponsored bills that created the Department of Labor and the Children’s Bureau. Philo T. Farnsworth (1906–1971) Utah, Bronze Chairman of the Senate Committee on by James R. Avati, 1990. Inventor. Called “the father of Foreign Relations.