Osky News Visits Washington DC: The United States Capital Building
The United States Capital Building seen from a block away
Last week, my family and I went on our annual family vacation. This year’s spot was one I have long desired to go to: Washington DC. Rather than fly, we drove. Long car rides are not difficult for me as we drive to our vacation spot every year no matter where stay. Since Washington DC is almost 1,000 miles away from Oskaloosa, we drove there in two days. We arrived on Sunday the 19th. The very next day is when we began our vacation.
The first attraction we went to in DC was the United States Capital Building. The Capital Building is perhaps the most recognized building in Washington. It is also very visible. The building can be seen from most of Washington. We walked a mile to the Capital building from our hotel. Upon entering the Capital Building Visitors Center, we went through the proper security screenings before proceeding to check in for our tour. Our tour had been scheduled in advance by going through our US Representative’s Website. You can schedule them on our US Senator’s websites as well.
After being shown a video, we were placed into lines to begin the tour. We were taken up two flights of stairs before stopping at our first location. That first stop was the Capital Rotunda. The rotunda itself is one of the defining aspects of the building. It can be seen from all over DC. Our guide stopped us in front of an oil-on-canvass painting and allowed us to take pictures while she talked about the rotunda. Within the rotunda, there are eight oil-on-canvass paintings, all of which depict historical parts of American History. The most commonly viewed painting is the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. We were stopped in front of this particular painting. Four of the paintings in the Rotunda depict scenes from the American Revolution and are painted by John Trumbull. The other four depict scenes from the exploration of America and are painted by various other artists. The Trumball paintings are the most popular of the eight.
Another large painting is visible within the rotunda. This painting stretches all the way around the Capital Rotunda. It is called the “Frieze of American History” and
A portion of the Frieze of American History within the Rotunda
depicts 18 different scenes from American History. At first glance, the painting looks like carved stone, however upon closer examination, visitors can see that in fact it is designed to look like carved stone but is actually painted on the rotunda wall. Another part of the rotunda shown was a star like symbol within the center of the rotunda floor. This start marks the exact center of the rotunda. One interesting part about that symbol is that it marks the directions of Washington DC. The city was built around the Capital Building and the star is what marks the sectors of the city, i.e. Northeast Sector, Northwest Sector. The star also marks the where a casket is to be placed when a person lies in state.
To date, 18 Americans have lain in state and three Americans have lain in honor. The difference between lying is state and lying in honor is the color guard that watches the casket. When a notable political figure dies, usually the President or long serving member of Congress, they are usually placed within the center of the Capital Rotunda and are guarded by a military honor. In the case of the three who have lain in honor, rather than the Military Honor watching the casket, Capital Police watched the casket thereby having the differences in terms.
The Old US House of Representatives Chamber
The next spot we visited was the old House Chamber. The old chamber is quite small compared to the current chamber and was moved because acoustics. The current House Chamber is just a few feet down a hallway from the old house chamber. When a joint session of Congress occurs, the Senate enters the House Chamber through the Old House Chamber.
The final part of the tour was the Capital Crypt. The Crypt is a large circular room with 4o different pillars that support the Rotunda. However, this room was originally built to house Washington’s body. A tomb was built for George Washinton’s body and it was assumed that the family would allow the body to be moved there. The family, however, declined to have Washinton’s body placed in the Crypt tomb. The tomb was never filled and currently sits empty under the floor .
Overall, the capital building was a very interesting experience. It was very cool to see the spot where so many of our great Legislators and Presidents have passed through the doors to conduct business. My next story will be on one of the most popular buildings in Washinton DC: The White House.
