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

#AskACurator about the House Collection

by Art on September 26, 2016

What object in the House Collection is the most challenging to preserve? The answer might surprise you.

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Categories: Announcements, Art

“Female Cranks” and “Gallery Girls”

by Art on September 13, 2016

There once was a room in the Capitol that no longer exists—the Ladies’ Reception Room. Well-dressed young women, stouthearted activists, and despairing widows filled its sofas and chairs in the 19th century. Long before women entered the House Chamber as Representatives, this space was a battleground in the clash over women’s “proper” role in politics.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, Rankin Centennial

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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Practice & Traditions
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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