The U.S. Capitol has housed Congress for around 200 years. Important architects in its construction included Benjamin Latrobe, Charles Bulfinch, and Thomas Walter. It has over 500 rooms and a dome nearly 200 feet high. The Capitol grounds include a visitor center and botanic garden. Tours are free but require passes and are offered daily except federal holidays.

1. U.S. Capitol
By: Nikki Johnston and Hana
Furuichi

2. History
Important People
• Benjamin Henry Latrobe did the south wing and
the north wing's interior
• Charles Bulfinch did the rotunda, dome, and
part of the west wing
• Thomas U. Walter was the
Capitol Extension winner and supervised until
both wings and the dome was done
• Montgomery C. Meigs supervised the
capitol extension

3. History
Previous Capitols
• The Capitol has housed the House of
Representatives and the Senate for around
200 years starting in 1793
• Starting at 1775, the Congress met at
the Pennsylvania State House
• In 1783, the Congress met in Nassau Hall
in New Jersey
• After that, they met in the Maryland State
House in Annapolis
• They met at the Federal Hall in New York

4. The Previous Capitols
AnnapolisPhiladelphia
Princeton New York

5. Purpose / Function
• Representatives are elected for two years
• The Speaker of the House rules the sessions
• They elect the President when the Electoral College
cannot
• They can impeach government officials
• "Here, sir, the people govern."
~Alexander Hamilton
The House of Representatives

6. Purpose / Function
The Senate
• Senators are elected for 6 years
• They approve treaties
• They judge impeachments
• They confirm presidential appointments
• The second floor houses the Senate
• Second floor has Supreme Court Room
• "A necessary fence."
~James Madison

7. Physical Aspects
• The U.S. Capitol Visitor
Center is the newest
addition.
• The Visitor Center is
almost 580,000
• The Statue of Freedom on
the dome is1 9 1/2 feet
high
• Has about 540 rooms
• The Rotunda is over 95
feet in diameter and
more than 183 feet
high
• It has a Botanic Garden
The US Capitol Botanic Garden

8. Tour Information
Tour Information
• Tours from 8:50 a.m.
- 3:20 p.m.
• Monday - Saturday.
• Visitors with
appointments can
enter the Visitor
Center at 7:15
• Tours are free,
passes required
Contact Information
• Phone number:
(202-)226-8000

9. Visiting Information
Visiting Information:
• Open to the public
on Monday -
Saturday
• 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.
• Not open on:
Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, New
Year's Day and
Inauguration Day.
Address
• East Capitol Street, NE
and 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002.

10. Visiting Information
Visiting Information:
• Open to the public
on Monday -
Saturday
• 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.
• Not open on:
Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, New
Year's Day and
Inauguration Day.
Address
• East Capitol Street, NE
and 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002.