Design of a Capital City (1790 → Present)
As the seat of the federal government took form, architects turned to Neoclassical ideals to communicate law, balance, and reason, later expanding these principles through Beaux-Arts planning that emphasized grandeur and unity. The resulting architectural fabric transformed Washington into a purpose-built capital designed to visually express democratic governance.
Design of a Capital City (1790 → Present)
As the seat of the federal government took form, architects turned to Neoclassical ideals to communicate law, balance, and reason, later expanding these principles through Beaux-Arts planning that emphasized grandeur and unity. The resulting architectural fabric transformed Washington into a purpose-built capital designed to visually express democratic governance.
The oldest known photograph of the Capitol building, 1846, with its copper-sheathed wooden dome.
President Lincoln's inauguration at the Capitol Building, March 4, 1861
N.E. view of the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. Drawn & engraved by Henry Sartain, 1858
The dome of the Capitol Building, Photo by Tomasz Zielonka
Capitol Dome photo by Jose Llamas
The Apotheosis of Washington, was painted by Italian-American artist Constantino Brumidi in 1865
Capitol Building photo by Jeffrey Clayton
Lincoln Memorial during construction between 1914 – 1922
The seated figure of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Daniel Chester French, anchors the Lincoln Memorial's classical architecture in marble and restraint.
The Memorial's columns act as both structure and frame, guiding the eye toward Lincoln's monumental marble figure.
Lincoln Memorial photographed around 1920
Aerial view of the Lincoln Memorial by Carol McKinney Highsmith
Lincoln Memorial photographed by Andy Feliciotti
Lincoln Memorial Statue photo by Artur Ament
Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Peace Monument, outside the U.S. Capitol, honors the U.S. Navy's Civil War dead. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Washington Monument
Members Room, Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Reading room of the Library of Congress's historic Thomas Jefferson Building, Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Stair in Great Hall of Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Hallway in the Library of Congress
The State, War, and Navy Building (also known as the Old Executive Office Building or Eisenhower Executive Office Building) located at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, 1917
Statue outside of Union Station
White House view from Truman Balcony; View of South Grounds
