We took the subway to a station that was closer to the Capitol Building and Senate/House Office Buildings since we needed to report to the LONGWORTH House Office Building where our Florida Representative Kat Cammack has her office. None of the Senators or Representatives are currently in DC, but Congressional staff and pages are here. The men and women of Congress arrive next week.
We called Congresswoman Cammack’s office, and Jack, an intern from Florida came down to let us in and escorted us to the office. Jack was our tour guide/required escort for the entire time we are here. It was interesting walking past some of the offices. Only one office had a bunch of signs, letters, banners, etc., plastered along the hallway and on her door. A couple of her signs were the opposite of her speech and actions. Thank You Capitol Police!?! She defends the actions of all those violently breaching the Capitol on Jan 6. Uvalde Unified!? Unbelievable! I was disgusted.
We arrived at Kat Cammack’s office. We left our water bottles and little snack bag here during the tour. Jack would escort us back at the end to get them.
To go from Longworth to the Capitol, we walked through the Cannon Tunnel. It was really cool to go via this tunnel, but it was even more amazing because it was an unexpected art gallery along the way!
Each year, beginning in 1987, there is a Congressional Art Competition for high school art students. A winner is selected from EVERY Congressional District! The winners then have their art piece on display in the Cannon Tunnel! A lot of the pieces were incredible! I’m sure it took us a tad bit longer to get to the Capitol building than most because I had to momentarily pause every few feet to take pictures so I could look at the art more closely later. Remember these are HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (NOT Professional artists – yet.) It was interesting to me to see the influence of covid, fear from the hate around the country, injustice and the silencing of others, pride, military family loneliness, pride and reunions, and relationships.
Since the beginning of the country, our leaders have understood the importance of the arts. George Washington himself wrote, “to encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.” I think some current states and their leaders need help on this as they support bans on books and art!
This piece, “Grief”, was exceptional. Anyone who has lost a loved one can feel the void left and the pain in your heart! The artist, Rachel Paterson lost her grandfather due to covid.
The full-size plaster model for the Statue of Freedom (above) was used to cast the bronze statue on the Capitol dome. Because that statue’s head is 288 feet above the east front plaza, details that are impossible to see outdoors can be appreciated looking at this model. Freedom wears a helmet encircled with stars and topped with an eagles’s head and feathers, the talons hanging at either side of her face. Her dress is secured with a brooch with the letter “US,” and she is draped with a fur-trimmed robe. Her right hand holds a sheathed sword, the left – a laurel wreath of victory and the striped shield of the United States. She is 19′ 6″ tall, and weighs about 15,000 pounds. Freedom was removed for a full restoration in 1991. Two years later she was returned to the top of the dome.
Justice and History sculpture (below) was originally place above the main doorway to the new Senate Wing to the Capitol in 1863. Due to extensive deterioration it was removed from that location in 1974. Major plaster repairs were made. But due to the fragile nature of the original, a marble replica was carved and placed outside in the original location above the Senate door. The original marble sculpture with substantial plaster repairs and overpaint remains inside near the crypt.
The Supreme Court Chambers that was used from 1810-1860 has been preserved as a “museum”.
The Crypt is 2 floors below the Capitol Rotunda. The numerous columns support the floor of the rotunda. Directly below the crypt Congress planned for President Washington’s body to be placed there in a tomb in the very center of the Capitol and where the city is divided into its four quadrant. The idea of honor was nice, but Washington’s will specified his desire to be buried in a family tomb at Mount Vernon. His family honored that request, and would not permit transferring his remains to the Capitol even when asked again years later. Thus the space under the crypt has served as storage through the years. Statues not currently displayed are stored there.
In this crypt area are 13 statues representing the 13 original colonies. Although currently there are only 12. Virginia is getting a completely new statue. It will be of civil rights activist Barbara Johns.
Instead, of a “viewing hole” to Washington’s tomb, the marble star compass was placed in the spot that marks the center of the Capitol and where the city is divided into four quadrants: northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. People of course liked to touch, sit and/or stand on this spot. The star was showing significant wear due to two centuries of foot traffic, and has recently been roped off. People are asked not to touch it.
Abraham Lincoln Bust by Gutzon Borglum
Borglum captured the distinctive features of Lincoln’s face, including his deep-set eyes, his prominent lower lip, and even his wart. The proper left side of the head is almost impressionistically carved, with the ear barely defined. This difference between the two sides of Lincoln’s face was intentional. What makes this bust even more exceptional is that Borglum carved it directly from the block of marble.
From an article in the April 1908 The Craftsman:
“Mr. Borglum thinks that the right side of Lincoln’s countenance was that in which the forcefulness of his character, his common sense, his executive capacity, his reasonableness, that is, his intellectual qualities, found chiefly their expression. But his gentleness, his tenderness, his bigness and warmth of heart, in short, his spiritual side, the artist thinks left is marks more upon the left half of his countenance…and the artist has given, from that point of view, an almost poignant impression of the tensity and weight of the man’s inner life.“
Ironically, the photo I took from the right-side of his face was my preference. I thought it was just me thinking the detail in my picture was better at that angle. Having read the above made me appreciate both views.
Up to the Rotunda
THE ART in the ROTUNDA – (Click on the name of the artwork to see it up close and to learn more about it.) The amount of art and architectural details made me feel like I was back in Italy with Professor Louis Palmer looking at the art all around us in Rome and Florence, and Lucca.
The large oil paintings around the perimeter wall of the rotunda:
Four revolutionary period scenes went up between 1819 and 1824. Congress commissioned John Trumbull to do the paintings.
1) Declaration of Independence
2) Surrender of General Burgoyne
3) Surrender of Lord Cornwallis
4) General George Washington Resigning His Commission
Four paintings depicting early explorations were added between 1840 and 1855. Each one was painted by a different artist.
1) Landing of Columbus by John Vanderlyn
2) Discovery of the Mississippi by William Powell
3) Baptism of Pocahontas by John Chapman
4) Embarkation of the Pilgrims by Robert Weir
Above each of the early exploration paintings is a relief wreathed panel that features a portrait bust of an early explorer.
1) John Cabot
2) Christopher Columbus
3) Sir Walter Raleigh
4) Sieur de La Salle
Enrico Caustici and Antonio Capellano were the sculptures for Cabot, Columbus and Sieur de La Salle. Francisco Iardella was the artist for Sir Walter Raleigh.
Above each of the four entrances are relief scenes from American colonial history.
1) Conflict of Daniel Boone and the Indians by Enrico Causici
2) Landing of the Pilgrims by Enrico Causici
3) Preservation of Captain Smith by Pocahontas by Antonio Capellano
4) William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians by Nicholas Gevelot
The dome above the rotunda provided even more art history. The fresco is The Apotheosis of Washington (George Washington rising to the heavens in glory.) The fresco (painting technique on fresh plaster)is 180 feet from the floor of the rotunda and is 4,665 square feet! WOW! Figures in the fresco are 15 feet tall so that the entire painting has details close up or 180 feet away.
As you make your way down from the eye of the dome’s fresco painting, past the textured section and the circular band of windows is a fresco frieze that fits the 300 ft circumference of the dome. The scenes designed by Brumidi trace America’s history from its discovery through the Revolutionary War. When Brumidi died in 1880 Filippo Costaggini completed the remaining scenes from Bromidi’s sketches. Unfortunately, when he finished there was a 31 foot gap! Allyn Cox completed the frieze with scenes of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the Birth of Aviation.
I found myself looking at the frieze and thinking it was carved stone, but then a few steps further with a little different lighting and angle, it appeared to be painted. I finally went with it all being 2D (painted) since I didn’t think it would be a combination. Then I read about them. I learned it was a fresco frieze painted with shades of white and brown to hopefully look like carved stone! No wonder I was I flipping back and forth.
The historical panels 1-19:
Statues around the floor of the rotunda
The following portrait monument by Adelaide Johnson honors the Pioneers for Woman’s Suffrage. I really liked the way this whole piece works. To me the “box” is essential knowing these three stepped out of their box/comfort zones to make a difference for all women. From left to right: Elizabeth Cody Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucretia Mott
A direct path from Congressional leadership offices to the chambers is kept clear by marking it off with the red velvet rope and posts. This also is done in the National Statuary Hall.
The Capitol rotunda is a special space. This is where heads of state may lie in state prior to their funeral. Special recognition events have been held here.
We were able to enter the Senate Chamber, but no pictures were allowed. We had to sit, observe and leave…even though Congress was not in session while we were here.
The National Statuary Hall – Yep –MORE statues!
This hall currently serves as the main exhibit space for the statues from all the states. In 1864 each state was invited to provide two statues representing two prominent citizens from their state. Before long the statues overwhelmed the room, so Congress capped the Statuary Hall at 38 and disseminated others throughout the rest of the Capitol.
Statuary Hall was built in a half-dome shape of an ancient amphitheater which has had acoustic echo issues throughout the years it served as the Hall of the House. They were happy when the present House Chamber was built.
There is a brass plaque on the marble floor marking the spot where John Quincy Adams’ desk was for his 17 years as a U.S. Representative following his presidency. Legend has it that he was able to eavesdrop on all sorts of quiet, private conversations that took place on the other side of the room. Our tour guide demonstrated the “whisper spot”.
On February 21, 1848, Adams collapsed at his desk from a stroke, and died two days later in an adjoining room.
Liberty and the Eagle look out from a niche above the colonnade behind what was once the Speaker’s rostrum. The ornate Corinthian column capitols were imported from Italy.
Ceremonial occasions and special events are held in the Hall including honoring foreign dignitaries and presidential luncheons.
The Capitol dome tour was not available due to the January 6 insurrection and the current exterior restoration project. It would be cool to do this tour someday.
Jack offered to take pictures of us outside with the capitol building in the background. This is the principal entrance and the Freedom Statue faces this entrance.
The second floor holds the Chambers of the House in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing.
After getting our belongings from Representative Cammack’s office, we headed back down to the cafeteria. We thought Jack needed to escort us to get lunch and out of the Capitol, but they seemed OK with saying goodbye at the office. Barry and I walked unescorted to the cafeteria, got some lunch and were about to head out till I realized I lost my favorite ball cap. We called Jack to see if it was in the office. Guess we better take a look out where we took pictures earlier, but first I went up to a security guard to see if there was a lost and found. That’s when we learned you definitely had to be with a staff person to be right here AND to go outside the main Capitol entrance! The guard told us we had to leave immediately. At least his partner gave me a phone number for Capitol lost and found. No hat. 🙁
Arranging for the Capitol Tour
Virgie and John told us about getting a private tour via our Congressmen/women, but you have to apply way in advance. I immediately reached out via email to our Florida Senators. We were about six months out from our dates to be in DC. After I submitted the request it specifically said NOT to contact them again to check on the status, because it takes time to approve and schedule. Well, when we were about two weeks out from arriving in DC, and still NOTHING I figured we were out of luck. Then someone we met at a campground said to go through the House of Representatives instead. I did that immediately. I requested both Capitol and White House tours any day AFTER our arrival date. I was told to watch for an email with the date and times. I got nothing. I was waiting for tour info to build our itinerary around it. We arrived in DC with no word. I called Rep Kat Cammack’s office. They had us scheduled for early that morning-PRIOR to our arrival! We don’t know why we didn’t receive the email notification. No problem though. They were able to reschedule us, but only for the Capitol tour. White House tours had waiting lists.
Today’s tour was impressive. We both enjoyed it more than we expected. I think most people focus on seeing the White House and tend to skip the Capitol. Someday I would like to go back to DC and visit much of what we couldn’t fit in this week including the White House tour. I would like to revisit the Capitol to see things I know I missed today. Maybe we could manage to observe both the Senate and House Chambers while they are in session. I would love an opportunity to meet specific Congressmen/women to thank them for caring about people like us. (Katie Porter, AOC, Bernie, Elizabeth Warren, Hakeem Jeffries.)