United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
Search the website

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

Postcards from the House(s)

by Art on August 24, 2016

At the turn of the century, you could send a picture and a message across the country to share your adventures with friends and family for just a penny. How many bore pictures of Representatives’ homes?

More >
Categories: Art & Artifacts

Fandom

by Art on July 6, 2016

Before air conditioning, portable, collapsible, and durable handheld fans were a necessity in the hot months. For congressional candidates, summertime made fans the perfect giveaway at parades, rallies, and “any kind of places where people congregate regularly in hot weather,” as one proponent noted. The House Collection contains breezemakers from a century’s worth of sweltering campaigns.

More >
Categories: Art & Artifacts, Minorities in Congress

Before the Flag

by Art on June 14, 2016

In 1929, the Capitol celebrated Flag Day with the United States Flag Association rolling out the (allegedly) largest flag in the world on the West Front, accompanied by an amplified, patriotic program. But what about the normal-sized, everyday flags in the Chamber? One might assume that its current spot— front and center, behind the Speaker on the rostrum—was always the case. However, there is no official protocol on flag display, so we turn to images from the House Collection to piece together the history of the flag in the House Chamber.

More >
Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Chamber

Lawn and Order

by Art on April 29, 2016

Seven workers lowered their scythes and posed for a picture outside the Capitol. In the 19th century, a well-manicured lawn symbolized stability and righteousness—exactly the image of the nation that Congress wanted to project. But it took a lot of work to keep the Capitol’s grounds photo ready. It was a real case of lawn versus order.

More >
Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Practice & Traditions

Ten Trumpets and a Flying Coffin

by Art on April 18, 2016

What did it take to be heard in the House of Representatives? Acoustics were notoriously bad in the House Chamber in the early 20th century. Getting from “wait, what?” to “loud and clear” required three tries, ten trumpets, and a flying coffin.

More >
Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Chamber

Esther and Ellen

by Art on March 30, 2016

In 1910, two women artists doubled the number of paintings by women in the House of Representatives. One, Ellen Day Hale, was highly accomplished, and the other, Esther Edmonds, was an emerging talent at the start of her career.

More >
Categories: Art & Artifacts, Minorities in Congress
< Older Posts

Categories

Authors

Blog Roll

Monthly Archive

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