Who We Are

Theodore R. Bechtol, Jr. came to the Architect of the Capitol in 2005 as Deputy Superintendent for the Capitol Grounds Jurisdiction. In October 2007 he was selected to be Superintendent and is responsible for the landscape maintenance of nearly 275 acres of the Capitol Complex, including seasonal flower displays, specimen tree maintenance and preservation of the historic landscape designed and developed by Frederic Law Olmsted during the late 19^th Century. The Capitol Grounds Division has approximately 65 employees including gardeners, arborists, masons, plumbers and mechanics. Additional to the plant material, the Capitol Grounds has a large amount of historic stone walls, decorative statuary and fountains that requires specialized maintenance. The jurisdiction supports a wide variety and size of special events held on the Grounds throughout the year.

Prior to his current position Mr. Bechtol worked as a horticultural manager at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, DC. Other positions over the years include Superintendent of Gardens and Grounds at the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, DE, and Horticulturist at the Hampton National Historic Site in Towson, MD. Several other landscape management positions have been held in county park systems and in the private sector with always an interest in arboriculture, cultural landscape preservation, and integrated pest management. As a collateral duty he represents the Architect on the board of the Historic Congressional Cemetery.

Mr. Bechtol has a Bachelor of Science degree in both Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Resource Management, with a minor in Forestry, from The Pennsylvania State University.