The Capitol, Washington, D. C.

Creator

Keystone View Company

Preview

Creation Date

1905

Description

This lantern slide is an image of a Southeast view of the House of Representatives wing, the center colonnaded portico and the side of the dome of the U.S. Capitol.

The cornerstone of the Capitol building was laid on this Southeast corner, on September 18, 1793, by President George Washington, during a Masonic ceremony. It was the first large public event that took place in the federal city, the thirteenth year of American Independence and the first year of Washington’s second term. The President stepped into the foundation trench, laid a commemorative engraved silver plate on the ground and then lowered the cornerstone, using a winch, on top of the plate. By 1807, construction on the south wing was sufficiently advanced that the House was able to move into its new legislative chamber.

In 1850, a plan for the “..eastward extension and the addition of large north and south wings.”, began. As the building was expanded, the existing dome appeared disproportionate in its size. In 1856, a new dome was constructed with 8,909,200 pounds of iron “..was lifted into place by steam powered derricks.”. The “..House of Representatives [were] able to meet in [their] new chamber on December 16, 1857.” On December 02, 1863, Thomas Crawford’s bronze “Statue of Freedom”, weighing 14,985 pounds, was installed at the top of the new dome. “Between 1884 and 1891, marble terraces were added to the north, west and the south sides, adding over 100 rooms and visual ‘girth’ to the Capitol.

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