Federal · District of Columbia
United States Capitol
The west front of the United States Capitol. — Martin Falbisoner
Why United States Capitol Matters
The United States Capitol is the seat of the U.S. Congress and one of the most recognizable symbols of American democracy. Standing atop Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., its great cast-iron dome — crowned by the Statue of Freedom and completed during the Civil War — presides over the National Mall. For more than two centuries the building has housed the Senate and House of Representatives, and its cornerstone was laid by George Washington himself in 1793.
By the Numbers
Building
- Architect(s)
- William Thornton; later Latrobe, Bulfinch & Walter
- Style
- Neoclassical
- Rooms
- About 540
The Dome
- Material
- Cast iron (~8.9 million lbs)
- Completed
- 1863
Statue of Freedom
- Sculpture
- 19.5 ft bronze, by Thomas Crawford
Today
- Maintained by
- Architect of the Capitol
Timeline
- 1793George Washington lays the cornerstone on September 18.
- 1800Congress first occupies the unfinished Capitol.
- 1814British troops burn the Capitol during the War of 1812.
- 1826Charles Bulfinch completes the rebuilt Capitol and its first dome.
- 1850sThomas U. Walter begins the House and Senate wing expansion.
- 1863The cast-iron dome is completed and the Statue of Freedom is raised.
- 2008The underground Capitol Visitor Center opens to the public.
Complete History
The Capitol's design emerged from a public competition won by physician and amateur architect William Thornton, whose neoclassical plan George Washington praised for its 'grandeur, simplicity, and convenience.' Washington laid the cornerstone on September 18, 1793. The north, or Senate, wing was completed first, and Congress occupied the still-unfinished building beginning in 1800.
During the War of 1812, British forces set fire to the Capitol on August 24, 1814, gutting the interior; a sudden thunderstorm is often credited with saving it from total destruction. Architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe led the reconstruction, and Charles Bulfinch completed the restored building, including its first low copper-clad dome, by 1826.
As new states swelled the ranks of Congress, architect Thomas U. Walter oversaw a dramatic expansion in the 1850s, adding the massive marble House and Senate wings. To keep the enlarged building in proportion, Walter replaced the old dome with the towering cast-iron dome that defines the Capitol today. President Lincoln insisted the work continue through the Civil War as a sign of the Union's endurance, and the bronze Statue of Freedom was raised atop the dome in December 1863.
Historic Images
Interesting Facts
- George Washington laid the Capitol's cornerstone in 1793, yet he is the only U.S. president who never worked in the city of Washington, D.C.
- British troops burned the Capitol in 1814; a torrential thunderstorm is said to have helped extinguish the flames before the building was completely destroyed.
- The cast-iron dome weighs nearly 9 million pounds and was completed during the Civil War, at President Lincoln's insistence, as a symbol of national unity.
- The bronze Statue of Freedom atop the dome stands 19.5 feet tall and was designed by sculptor Thomas Crawford.
- The inside of the dome is decorated with 'The Apotheosis of Washington,' a vast fresco painted by Constantino Brumidi in 1865.
Visiting Today
- Hours
- The Capitol Visitor Center is open to the public Monday through Saturday, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Inauguration Day. Hours are set by the Architect of the Capitol.
- Admission
- Tours are free. Passes can be reserved in advance online or arranged through a senator's or representative's office; a limited number of same-day passes are available.
- Best time to visit
- Weekday mornings are quietest; spring and fall bring comfortable weather for exploring Capitol Hill and the Mall.
- Nearby
- The Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian museums.
Enter through the Capitol Visitor Center on the East Front and allow time for security screening. To watch the House or Senate in session, request gallery passes from your congressional representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the United States Capitol?
The Capitol is where the U.S. Congress meets. The Senate occupies the north wing and the House of Representatives the south wing, and the building also hosts presidential inaugurations and other national ceremonies.
Who built the United States Capitol?
Its original design was by William Thornton, with the cornerstone laid by George Washington in 1793. Later architects including Benjamin Latrobe, Charles Bulfinch, and Thomas U. Walter rebuilt and expanded it over the following decades.
When was the Capitol dome built?
The current cast-iron dome was built in the 1850s and 1860s, replacing an earlier, smaller dome. It was completed in 1863, during the Civil War, and topped with the Statue of Freedom.
Can you tour the U.S. Capitol?
Yes. Free guided tours start from the underground Capitol Visitor Center and are best reserved in advance through the Visitor Center or a member of Congress.
