The original building was finished in 1800, but was burned down during the War of 1812. The only part of the building that remained were some stone columns (pictured below). It was rebuilt in 1850 As the number of states increased, the Capitol Building was expanded. The dome is made of iron, and is being refinished because they identified 1300 cracks in it. Reconstruction has to be completed by the inauguration of a new US president, so the deadline is January 2017.
The Capitol rotunda and walls were painted by Brumidi. The pictures below don't do the artwork justice. Some parts of the wall were left blank, so murals of great things to come could be painted. .
Throughout the day we had to go through three security check points. They tested our phones and cameras for explosives, and when we went to the Senate chamber to watch a session of the Senate they made us check all phones, cameras, purses, etc. They do this for security purposes.
Senators choose their seats and offices based on seniority. The desk on the back row of the Senate floor closest to the door is referred to as "the candy desk" the Senator in that desk keeps it stocked with candy for other Senators. Right now a senator from Pennsylvania occupies the candy desk.
the statue on top of
the dome. Her name
is Freedom.
painted like this. It was beautiful.
landing on the moon.
presidents walk down this stairway.
is where Congress decides how money
will be spent.
This star is in the dead center of the Capital.
The original plan was for George Washington
to be buried directly beneath this spot.
however, neither Washington nor his
family liked that idea so he was buried
at Mount Vernon.
There is an electric train system underneath
the Capitol that connects the Senate offices
with the Capital building.
Cornerstone. Laid by George Washington, 1793.
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