Designs

In the spring of 1792, United States Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit designs for the Capitol and the "President's House," and set a deadline of four months. The contest prize was $500 and a piece of land in Federal City. At least ten people submitted designs for the Capitol; However, the drawings were considered crude and amateurish, reflecting the level of architectural skill present in the United States at the time. The most promising of those submitted was that of Stephen Hallet"), a French-trained architect. However, Hallet's designs were too extravagant, with too much French influence, and were considered too expensive.[2]​

A late proposal by amateur architect William Thornton was presented on January 31, 1793, and received much praise for its "greatness, simplicity, and beauty" from Washington, along with those of Thomas Jefferson. Thornton took inspiration from the east façade of the Louvre Palace as well as the Pantheon in Paris for the central part of the design. Thornton's design was officially approved in a letter dated April 5, 1793 by Washington, and Thornton was the first architect of the Capitol (and later the first superintendent of the United States Patent and Trademark Office). In an effort to console Hallet, the commissioners appointed him to review Thornton's plans, prepare cost estimates, and act as construction superintendent. Hallet proceeded to dismantle and make drastic changes to Thornton's design, which he considered expensive to build and problematic. In July 1793, Jefferson convened a five-member commission, bringing together Hallet and Thornton, along with James Hoban (winning architect of the "President's Palace") to address the problems and review Thornton's plan. Hallet suggested changes to the floor plan, which could fit into Thornton's exterior design. The revised plan was accepted, except that Secretary Jefferson and President Washington insisted on a gap in the center of the eastern front, which was part of Thornton's original plan.[2]

Thornton's original design was later modified by British-American architects Benjamin Henry Latrobe Sr., and then by Charles Bulfinch. The present cast iron dome and new south extension, as well as the new north wing of the Senate were designed by Thomas Ustick Walter") and August Schoenborn"), a German immigrant, in the 1850s,[25] and were completed under the supervision of Edward Clark.[3]​.

Construction

In November 1791, L'Enfant obtained the rental of quarries on Wigginton Island and along Aquia Creek in Virginia to use for the foundation and exterior walls of the Capitol. Survey work began shortly after Jefferson's conference plan for the Capitol was accepted. On September 18, 1793, President George Washington, along with eight other Masons dressed in Masonic costumes, laid the cornerstone, made by silversmith Caleb Bentley.[2]​.

Construction continued with Hallet working under the supervision of James Hoban, who was also engaged in the construction of the "President's House" (also later known as the "Executive Mansion"). Despite the wishes of Jefferson and the President, Hallet went ahead anyway and modified Thornton's design for the east front and created a square central courtyard projecting from the center, with flanking wings that would house the legislative bodies. Hallet was fired by Secretary Jefferson on November 15, 1794.[30] George Hadfield was hired on October 15, 1795 as superintendent of construction, but resigned three years later, in May 1798, due to his dissatisfaction with Thornton's plan and the quality of the work completed up to that point.[4]

The Senate (north) wing was completed in 1800. The Senate and House of Representatives shared quarters in the north wing until a temporary wooden pavilion was built on the future site of the House of Representatives wing, which served for a few years for Representatives to meet in it, until the House of Representatives (south) wing was finally completed in 1811, with a temporary covered wooden walkway connecting the two wings with the chambers of the Congress, where the future central section with the rotunda and the dome would be. However, the House of Representatives soon moved to the House wing in 1807. Although the Senate wing building was incomplete, the Capitol held its first session of the United States Congress with both houses in session on November 17, 1800. The National Legislature moved to Washington prematurely, at the behest of President John Adams, in hopes of winning enough Southern votes in the Electoral College to be re-elected to a second term as president.[5]​.

Fire of 1812

Shortly after the completion of both wings, the Capitol was partially burned by the British on August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812.

George Bomford") and Joseph Gardner Swift"), both military engineers, were asked to help rebuild the Capitol. Reconstruction began in 1815 and included the redesign of the Senate and House wing chambers (now laterals), which were completed in 1819. During the reconstruction, Congress met in the Old Brick Capitol, a temporary structure financed by local investors. Construction continued until 1826, with the addition of the center section with front steps and colonnaded portico and an interior rotunda rising above the first low dome of the Capitol. Latrobe is primarily associated with original construction and many innovative interior features; His successor Bulfinch also played an important role, such as designing the first low copper-covered dome.[4]​.

1850 extension

By 1850, it became clear that the Capitol could not accommodate the growing number of legislators arriving from the newly admitted states. A new design competition was held, and President Millard Fillmore appointed Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter to carry out the expansion. Two new wings were added: a new chamber for the House of Representatives on the south side, and a new chamber for the Senate on the north.

The first known photograph of the interior of the Capitol was taken in 1860 and shows the new House of Representatives chamber.

When the Capitol was expanded in the 1850s, some of the construction work was done by slaves "who cut the logs, laid the stones, and fired the bricks." The original plan was to use workers brought from Europe; However, response to recruiting efforts was weak and African Americans, some free and others enslaved, made up the majority of the workforce.[6]​.

Dome

The 1850 addition more than doubled the length of the Capitol and dwarfed the original 1818 dome, designed by Charles Bulfinch, with a wood frame and copper cladding, which was no longer proportionate to the size of the building. In 1855 it was decided to demolish it and replace it with the cast iron "wedding cake style" dome that we see today. Also designed by Thomas U. Walter"), the new dome is three times the height of the original and has a diameter of 30 meters, but rests on existing masonry pillars. Like Mansart's dome at "Les Invalides" (which he had visited in 1838), Walter's dome is double, with a large oculus in the inner dome, through which is seen "The Apotheosis of Washington" painted on a shell suspended from the ribs of support, which also support the visible outer structure and the tholos supporting the "Statue of Liberty", a colossal statue that was raised to the top of the dome in 1863. The statue invokes the goddesses Minerva or Athena The weight of the cast iron for the dome is 4,041,100 kg The cast iron structure of the dome was supplied and built by the Janes, Fowler, Kirtland & iron foundry. Co.[7]​.

20th century

When the new dome was finally completed, its enormous visual weight, in turn, surpassed the proportions of the columns of the East Portico, built in 1828, forcing it to be rebuilt in 1904, following a design by the architects Carrère and Hastings, who also designed the Senate office buildings and Cannon House.

The next major renovation began in 1958, with a 10.2m extension of the East Portico. During this project, in 1960 the dome underwent restoration. A marble duplicate of the sandstone East Front was built, gaining 10.2 linear meters. In 1962, what had been its exterior wall was incorporated as an interior wall. In the process, the original sandstone Corinthian columns were removed and replaced with marble ones. It was not until 1984 when landscaper Russell Page created a suitable environment for them in a large meadow at the United States National Arboretum, in northeast Washington, like the Columns of the National Capitol, where they are combined with a reflecting pool in a group that reminds some visitors of the ruins of Persepolis, in Persia. In addition to the columns, hundreds of blocks of the original stone were removed and stored behind a National Park Service maintenance yard in Rock Creek Park.[8]​.

September 11, 2001

The final plan for the attacks of September 11, 2001 was to hijack 4 planes, of which one was going to hit the United States Capitol, since it represented the legislative branch. But the plane that was going to hit the Capitol (United Airlines Flight 93) crashed in a field in Shanksville (Pennsylvania), due to a fight between the passengers and the terrorists.

January 6, 2021

On January 6, 2021, during the session in which the appointment of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States was to be confirmed, thousands of protesters stormed the Capitol. This situation caused the emergency closure of the building, the evacuation of some personalities, such as outgoing Vice President Mike Pence and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and the intervention of the National Guard. The assault ended with more than 120 people arrested,[9]​ four protesters and one police officer killed and 52 police officers injured.[10]​.

Damage to the building's heritage was limited, despite the violence reflected in the images broadcast by the media. Several doors and windows were smashed by protesters in their attempt to access the interior of the building. Once inside, a statue of former President Zachary Taylor located in one of the hallways was splashed by a red liquid, apparently blood. Pepper spray, tear gas and fire extinguishers used inside by both the assailants and security forces permeated some works without causing major damage. Several objects were stolen by the protesters.[11]​ Among them, a scroll with Chinese characters, a painting with an image of the Dalai Lama and a lectern of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi - whose office was attacked -, which the author later tried to auction on eBay.[9]​ However, despite the valuable works of art that the Capitol houses, none suffered serious damage - except for two exterior lamps from the late 19th century designed by the creator. of the headquarters gardens, Frederick Law Olmsted—.[12]​.

Designs

In the spring of 1792, United States Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit designs for the Capitol and the "President's House," and set a deadline of four months. The contest prize was $500 and a piece of land in Federal City. At least ten people submitted designs for the Capitol; However, the drawings were considered crude and amateurish, reflecting the level of architectural skill present in the United States at the time. The most promising of those submitted was that of Stephen Hallet"), a French-trained architect. However, Hallet's designs were too extravagant, with too much French influence, and were considered too expensive.[2]​

A late proposal by amateur architect William Thornton was presented on January 31, 1793, and received much praise for its "greatness, simplicity, and beauty" from Washington, along with those of Thomas Jefferson. Thornton took inspiration from the east façade of the Louvre Palace as well as the Pantheon in Paris for the central part of the design. Thornton's design was officially approved in a letter dated April 5, 1793 by Washington, and Thornton was the first architect of the Capitol (and later the first superintendent of the United States Patent and Trademark Office). In an effort to console Hallet, the commissioners appointed him to review Thornton's plans, prepare cost estimates, and act as construction superintendent. Hallet proceeded to dismantle and make drastic changes to Thornton's design, which he considered expensive to build and problematic. In July 1793, Jefferson convened a five-member commission, bringing together Hallet and Thornton, along with James Hoban (winning architect of the "President's Palace") to address the problems and review Thornton's plan. Hallet suggested changes to the floor plan, which could fit into Thornton's exterior design. The revised plan was accepted, except that Secretary Jefferson and President Washington insisted on a gap in the center of the eastern front, which was part of Thornton's original plan.[2]

Thornton's original design was later modified by British-American architects Benjamin Henry Latrobe Sr., and then by Charles Bulfinch. The present cast iron dome and new south extension, as well as the new north wing of the Senate were designed by Thomas Ustick Walter") and August Schoenborn"), a German immigrant, in the 1850s,[25] and were completed under the supervision of Edward Clark.[3]​.

Construction

In November 1791, L'Enfant obtained the rental of quarries on Wigginton Island and along Aquia Creek in Virginia to use for the foundation and exterior walls of the Capitol. Survey work began shortly after Jefferson's conference plan for the Capitol was accepted. On September 18, 1793, President George Washington, along with eight other Masons dressed in Masonic costumes, laid the cornerstone, made by silversmith Caleb Bentley.[2]​.

Construction continued with Hallet working under the supervision of James Hoban, who was also engaged in the construction of the "President's House" (also later known as the "Executive Mansion"). Despite the wishes of Jefferson and the President, Hallet went ahead anyway and modified Thornton's design for the east front and created a square central courtyard projecting from the center, with flanking wings that would house the legislative bodies. Hallet was fired by Secretary Jefferson on November 15, 1794.[30] George Hadfield was hired on October 15, 1795 as superintendent of construction, but resigned three years later, in May 1798, due to his dissatisfaction with Thornton's plan and the quality of the work completed up to that point.[4]

The Senate (north) wing was completed in 1800. The Senate and House of Representatives shared quarters in the north wing until a temporary wooden pavilion was built on the future site of the House of Representatives wing, which served for a few years for Representatives to meet in it, until the House of Representatives (south) wing was finally completed in 1811, with a temporary covered wooden walkway connecting the two wings with the chambers of the Congress, where the future central section with the rotunda and the dome would be. However, the House of Representatives soon moved to the House wing in 1807. Although the Senate wing building was incomplete, the Capitol held its first session of the United States Congress with both houses in session on November 17, 1800. The National Legislature moved to Washington prematurely, at the behest of President John Adams, in hopes of winning enough Southern votes in the Electoral College to be re-elected to a second term as president.[5]​.

Fire of 1812

Shortly after the completion of both wings, the Capitol was partially burned by the British on August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812.

George Bomford") and Joseph Gardner Swift"), both military engineers, were asked to help rebuild the Capitol. Reconstruction began in 1815 and included the redesign of the Senate and House wing chambers (now laterals), which were completed in 1819. During the reconstruction, Congress met in the Old Brick Capitol, a temporary structure financed by local investors. Construction continued until 1826, with the addition of the center section with front steps and colonnaded portico and an interior rotunda rising above the first low dome of the Capitol. Latrobe is primarily associated with original construction and many innovative interior features; His successor Bulfinch also played an important role, such as designing the first low copper-covered dome.[4]​.

1850 extension

By 1850, it became clear that the Capitol could not accommodate the growing number of legislators arriving from the newly admitted states. A new design competition was held, and President Millard Fillmore appointed Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter to carry out the expansion. Two new wings were added: a new chamber for the House of Representatives on the south side, and a new chamber for the Senate on the north.

The first known photograph of the interior of the Capitol was taken in 1860 and shows the new House of Representatives chamber.

When the Capitol was expanded in the 1850s, some of the construction work was done by slaves "who cut the logs, laid the stones, and fired the bricks." The original plan was to use workers brought from Europe; However, response to recruiting efforts was weak and African Americans, some free and others enslaved, made up the majority of the workforce.[6]​.

Dome

The 1850 addition more than doubled the length of the Capitol and dwarfed the original 1818 dome, designed by Charles Bulfinch, with a wood frame and copper cladding, which was no longer proportionate to the size of the building. In 1855 it was decided to demolish it and replace it with the cast iron "wedding cake style" dome that we see today. Also designed by Thomas U. Walter"), the new dome is three times the height of the original and has a diameter of 30 meters, but rests on existing masonry pillars. Like Mansart's dome at "Les Invalides" (which he had visited in 1838), Walter's dome is double, with a large oculus in the inner dome, through which is seen "The Apotheosis of Washington" painted on a shell suspended from the ribs of support, which also support the visible outer structure and the tholos supporting the "Statue of Liberty", a colossal statue that was raised to the top of the dome in 1863. The statue invokes the goddesses Minerva or Athena The weight of the cast iron for the dome is 4,041,100 kg The cast iron structure of the dome was supplied and built by the Janes, Fowler, Kirtland & iron foundry. Co.[7]​.

20th century

When the new dome was finally completed, its enormous visual weight, in turn, surpassed the proportions of the columns of the East Portico, built in 1828, forcing it to be rebuilt in 1904, following a design by the architects Carrère and Hastings, who also designed the Senate office buildings and Cannon House.

The next major renovation began in 1958, with a 10.2m extension of the East Portico. During this project, in 1960 the dome underwent restoration. A marble duplicate of the sandstone East Front was built, gaining 10.2 linear meters. In 1962, what had been its exterior wall was incorporated as an interior wall. In the process, the original sandstone Corinthian columns were removed and replaced with marble ones. It was not until 1984 when landscaper Russell Page created a suitable environment for them in a large meadow at the United States National Arboretum, in northeast Washington, like the Columns of the National Capitol, where they are combined with a reflecting pool in a group that reminds some visitors of the ruins of Persepolis, in Persia. In addition to the columns, hundreds of blocks of the original stone were removed and stored behind a National Park Service maintenance yard in Rock Creek Park.[8]​.

September 11, 2001

The final plan for the attacks of September 11, 2001 was to hijack 4 planes, of which one was going to hit the United States Capitol, since it represented the legislative branch. But the plane that was going to hit the Capitol (United Airlines Flight 93) crashed in a field in Shanksville (Pennsylvania), due to a fight between the passengers and the terrorists.

January 6, 2021

On January 6, 2021, during the session in which the appointment of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States was to be confirmed, thousands of protesters stormed the Capitol. This situation caused the emergency closure of the building, the evacuation of some personalities, such as outgoing Vice President Mike Pence and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and the intervention of the National Guard. The assault ended with more than 120 people arrested,[9]​ four protesters and one police officer killed and 52 police officers injured.[10]​.

Damage to the building's heritage was limited, despite the violence reflected in the images broadcast by the media. Several doors and windows were smashed by protesters in their attempt to access the interior of the building. Once inside, a statue of former President Zachary Taylor located in one of the hallways was splashed by a red liquid, apparently blood. Pepper spray, tear gas and fire extinguishers used inside by both the assailants and security forces permeated some works without causing major damage. Several objects were stolen by the protesters.[11]​ Among them, a scroll with Chinese characters, a painting with an image of the Dalai Lama and a lectern of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi - whose office was attacked -, which the author later tried to auction on eBay.[9]​ However, despite the valuable works of art that the Capitol houses, none suffered serious damage - except for two exterior lamps from the late 19th century designed by the creator. of the headquarters gardens, Frederick Law Olmsted—.[12]​.