Featured

Photograph of people walking outside on a Self-Guided Tour of Capitol Hill
Self-Guided Tours on Capitol Hill
Visitors can tour many highlights on Capitol Hill without registering.
More »

Featured

The Architect of the Capitol’s challenge is unique – maintaining aging, iconic buildings; adapting state-of-the-art technology; and increasing responsiveness to environmental, security and safety considerations in a rich historical setting.
Sustainability and Energy Savings
The Architect of the Capitol's challenge is unique – maintaining aging, iconic...
More »

Featured

Kaizen Life Skills group photo.
Bridging the Gap
Millions of Americans volunteer every year, but few feel compelled to form...
More »

Primary tabs

Featured

Meet the Leaders: Cannon Renewal Project

By Kristen Frederick

Those dedicated to managing the operation of the 10-year, five-phased Cannon Renewal discuss the project and what leadership means to them.
Building illustration for the Cannon Renewal.

Our Blog

Read about the art, architecture and work on the Capitol Hill written by AOC's experts.

The Capitol Christmas Tree in 2013
Capitol Christmas Tree Lights up Washington
December 3, 2013
Events
The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. The tree will be lit from night fall until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1, 2014.More »
Instagrammers in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol
Instagramming the Capitol
December 17, 2013
Events, Photography
On a rainy December Saturday a group of Instagrammers joined us at the U.S. Capitol to tour the building and chat with an Architect of the Capitol photographer. Despite the weather it was a great event and we look forward to hosting more in the future!More »
Cara holding her chocolate tree.
Cara and the Chocolate Tree
September 16, 2014
Buildings & Grounds, Events
With Sprouts at the U.S. Botanic Garden, children learn about the magical world of plants.More »
The hanging of the Capitol Christmas Tree lights is the job of the Architect of the Capitol Capitol Grounds Division.
A Holiday Tradition: AOC Trims the Tree
November 17, 2011
Events, Who We Are
Preparing the Christmas tree is a true team effort for the Architect of the Capitol. Find out how we work around the clock from tree selection to arrival, decoration and lighting.More »
Instagrammers in the Olmsted Summerhouse on the Capitol Grounds
Instant Perspective on a #CapitolMorning
September 22, 2014
Events, Photography
Early on this beautiful September morning, a group of Instagrammers came together to explore and celebrate the U.S. Capitol during our second InstaMeet.More »
What does the Constitution mean to me? Exhibit
What does the Constitution mean to me?
September 14, 2012
Events
My colleagues at the Capitol Visitor Center’s (CVC) Exhibits and Education Division asked that I create a sample journal to inspire U.S. Capitol visitors who will make journals as part of Constitution Week activities at the CVC the week of September 17.More »
Ted Bechtol, AOC Capitol Grounds Division
2014 Christmas Tree Selection
October 29, 2014
Who We Are, Events
For two beautiful summer days in late July, I traveled around Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota, to search for the perfect U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. More »
Hundreds of media outlets from around the world cover the Presidential Inauguration.
One Team, One Mission, One Day
September 28, 2012
Who We Are, Events
Inauguration at the Capitol takes a team effort to pull together, and planning for the event begins as soon as the previous inaugural ends. Take a behind the scenes look at AOC's role in this event.More »
His Holiness Pope Francis addressing the crowds assembled along the West Front.
Papal Preparation Takes Teamwork
October 14, 2015
Who We Are, Events
Multiple jurisdictions worked together to prepare for Pope Francis' historic arrival at the U.S. Capitol last month, treating it much like a rehearsal for the next presidential inauguration. More »
2012 Capitol Christmas Tree arrives at U.S. Capitol
Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives
November 26, 2012
Events
The Capitol Christmas tree has just arrived at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol! This year's tree is a 65-foot Engelmann spruce that came all the way from Colorado.More »
Chugach National Forest in Alaska
Selecting the 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree
October 28, 2015
Who We Are, Events
How do you pick a single tree from an area that stretches across all of south-central Alaska? AOC's Superintendent of the Capitol Grounds explores the Chugach National Forest for "the one."More »
Capitol Visitor Center Opening Ceremony
Nearly Nine Million Visitors Later
November 30, 2012
Who We Are, Buildings & Grounds, Events
On December 2, the Capitol Visitor Center celebrates its four-year anniversary. Sharon Gang, the third member of the CVC's operations staff, reflects back to the opening four years ago. More »
First official photo of the 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree.
Northern Lights Twinkle on the West Front Lawn
December 2, 2015
Events
The mild and misty December air crackled with excitement as the Architect of the Capitol, members of Congress, congressional staff, Capitol Hill neighbors and tourists gathered on the West Front Lawn for the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree.More »
Photo showing the detail of "We the People"
“We the People” - Constitution Week 2013
September 16, 2013
Events
This Constitution Week, AOC's Sharon Gang, communications & marketing manager at the Capitol Visitor Center, reflects on what the U.S. Constitution means to her.More »
Military Summer Concert Series, 2009.
Lend Me Your Ears
May 13, 2016
Events
It wasn't planned at the time, but the 1793 cornerstone laying event was the first of what has become a time-honored tradition of incorporating music to mark celebratory and honorary occasions in the Nation's Capital.More »

Pages

Printer-friendly version