USApedia

Capitol Visitor Center: Difference between revisions

Page Discussion

Capitol Visitor Center (view source)

Revision as of 22:15, 12 April 2025

596 bytes added ,  12 April
no edit summary
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(6 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Capitol Visitor Center
|OrganizationType=Executive Departments (Sub-organization)
|Mission=To provide a welcoming and educational environment for visitors to learn about the history and significance of the United States Capitol, enhancing public understanding of the legislative process and the role of Congress in American democracy.
|ParentOrganization=United States Capitol Police
|CreationLegislation=Capitol Visitor Center Act of 1998
|Services=Guided tours; Educational programs; Exhibits; Orientation films; Visitor assistance
|HeadquartersLocation=38.88978, -77.00887
|HeadquartersAddress=First Street, SE between E. Capitol and Independence Ave., Washington, DC 20004
|Website=https://www.visitthecapitol.gov
}}
{{short description|Underground visitor center in Washington D.C.}}
{{short description|Underground visitor center in Washington D.C.}}
<!--


Please be careful to spell the word
The '''United States Capitol Visitor Center''' ('''CVC''') is a large underground addition to the [[United States Capitol]] complex which serves as a gathering point for up to 4,000 tourists<ref name=CVCFAQs>{{cite web |title=Capitol Visitor Center Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Architect of the Capitol |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/faqs/index.cfm#CP |access-date=2008-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924191906/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/faqs/index.cfm#CP |archive-date=2008-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and an expansion space for the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]].<ref name="test">[http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2009/1/2009_1_10_dept.shtml Philip Kopper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102181508/http://americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2009/1/2009_1_10_dept.shtml |date=2010-01-02 }} "A Capitol Attraction," ''American Heritage'', Spring 2009.</ref> It is located below the landscaped tree-shaded grounds of the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza (a former unsightly parking lot since the mid-[[1920s]]), topped by a thick plastic / glass skylight on the surface, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East, towards the east. The complex contains {{convert|580000|sqft|m2}} of space below ground on three levels.<ref name=ProjectInfo>{{cite web |title=Capitol Visitor Center: Project Information |publisher=Capitol Visitor Center, Architect of the Capitol |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/index.cfm |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101021342/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/index.cfm |archive-date=2008-11-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The overall project's budget was $621 million dollars.<ref name=FactSheet>{{cite web |title=Capitol Visitor Center Fact Sheet |date=Spring 2008 |publisher=Capitol Visitor Center, Architect of the Capitol |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/upload/CVC%20Fact%20Sheet%20Spring%202008_1.pdf |access-date=2008-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031050211/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/upload/CVC%20Fact%20Sheet%20Spring%202008_1.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=======CAPITOL=======
correctly, since there is little reason
to use the word capital in this article.
 
-->The '''United States Capitol Visitor Center''' ('''CVC''') is a large underground addition to the [[United States Capitol]] complex which serves as a gathering point for up to 4,000 tourists<ref name=CVCFAQs>{{cite web |title=Capitol Visitor Center Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Architect of the Capitol |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/faqs/index.cfm#CP |access-date=2008-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924191906/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/faqs/index.cfm#CP |archive-date=2008-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and an expansion space for the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]].<ref name="test">[http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2009/1/2009_1_10_dept.shtml Philip Kopper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102181508/http://americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2009/1/2009_1_10_dept.shtml |date=2010-01-02 }} "A Capitol Attraction," ''American Heritage'', Spring 2009.</ref> It is located below the landscaped tree-shaded grounds of the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza (a former unsightly parking lot since the mid-[[1920s]]), topped by a thick plastic / glass skylight on the surface, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East, towards the east. The complex contains {{convert|580000|sqft|m2}} of space below ground on three levels.<ref name=ProjectInfo>{{cite web |title=Capitol Visitor Center: Project Information |publisher=Capitol Visitor Center, Architect of the Capitol |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/index.cfm |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101021342/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/index.cfm |archive-date=2008-11-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The overall project's budget was $621 million dollars.<ref name=FactSheet>{{cite web |title=Capitol Visitor Center Fact Sheet |date=Spring 2008 |publisher=Capitol Visitor Center, Architect of the Capitol |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/upload/CVC%20Fact%20Sheet%20Spring%202008_1.pdf |access-date=2008-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031050211/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/project_info/upload/CVC%20Fact%20Sheet%20Spring%202008_1.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The CVC has additional space for use by the Congress, including multiple new meeting and conference rooms. On the south / House side, there is a large room which will most likely be used by a [[United States Congressional committee|committee]]. The new Congressional Auditorium, a 450-seat theater, is available for use by members of Congress or for either House of Congress should their respective chamber be temporarily unavailable.<ref name = WPCVCDelays>{{cite news |last=Hsu |first=Spencer S. |author2=Christopher Lee  |title=Delays for Capitol Visitor Center |newspaper=Washington Post |date=2004-11-29 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18422-2004Nov28.html |pages=A17 |access-date=2008-11-10}}</ref>
The CVC has additional space for use by the Congress, including multiple new meeting and conference rooms. On the south / House side, there is a large room which will most likely be used by a [[United States Congressional committee|committee]]. The new Congressional Auditorium, a 450-seat theater, is available for use by members of Congress or for either House of Congress should their respective chamber be temporarily unavailable.<ref name = WPCVCDelays>{{cite news |last=Hsu |first=Spencer S. |author2=Christopher Lee  |title=Delays for Capitol Visitor Center |newspaper=Washington Post |date=2004-11-29 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18422-2004Nov28.html |pages=A17 |access-date=2008-11-10}}</ref>
Line 38: Line 43:
===Emancipation Hall===
===Emancipation Hall===
[[Image:Emancipation-Hall 1.jpg|thumb|left|Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. The 1857 plaster cast of the ''[[Statue of Freedom]]'' is in the center flanked by stairs which lead to the Capitol itself.]]
[[Image:Emancipation-Hall 1.jpg|thumb|left|Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. The 1857 plaster cast of the ''[[Statue of Freedom]]'' is in the center flanked by stairs which lead to the Capitol itself.]]
Emancipation Hall is the main hall of the CVC and measures in at {{convert|20000|sqft|m2}}.<ref name = JacksonPR>{{cite press release |title=Congressman Jackson Calls Emancipation Hall a New Chapter in America's Unfolding Story |publisher=Office of Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. |date=2007-12-18 |url=http://www.house.gov/jackson/Emancipation-Hall-Bill-Signing.shtml |access-date=2008-11-10}}</ref> It was originally designated the ''Great Hall'', but this was changed to ''Emancipation Hall'' when a bill cosponsored by [[Congressmen|Congressman]] [[Zach Wamp]] and [[Jesse Jackson, Jr.|Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.]] was passed by Congress and signed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] in January 2008.<ref name = JacksonPR /><ref>{{cite web |title=United States Capitol Visitor Center: Weekly Construction Summary (7 January 2008) |publisher=Capitol Visitor Center, Architect of the Capitol |date=2008-01-07 |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/weekly/2008/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=29101 |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-date=2008-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031072433/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/weekly/2008/loader.cfm?csModule=security%2Fgetfile&pageid=29101 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Emancipation Hall contains two large skylights, which each measure {{convert|30|ft|m}} by {{convert|70|ft|m}} and allow for a view of the Capitol dome never before seen.<ref name = video /> The skylights allow a significant amount of natural light into the hall and are surrounded by pools of water and seating on the roof deck.
Emancipation Hall is the main hall of the CVC and measures in at {{convert|20000|sqft|m2}}.<ref name = JacksonPR>{{cite press release |title=Congressman Jackson Calls Emancipation Hall a New Chapter in America's Unfolding Story |publisher=Office of Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. |date=2007-12-18 |url=http://www.house.gov/jackson/Emancipation-Hall-Bill-Signing.shtml |access-date=2008-11-10}}</ref> It was originally designated the ''Great Hall'', but this was changed to ''Emancipation Hall'' when a bill cosponsored by [[Congressmen|Congressman]] [[Zach Wamp]] and [[Jesse Jackson, Jr.|Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.]] was passed by Congress and signed by [[President of the United States|President]] George W. Bush in January 2008.<ref name = JacksonPR /><ref>{{cite web |title=United States Capitol Visitor Center: Weekly Construction Summary (7 January 2008) |publisher=Capitol Visitor Center, Architect of the Capitol |date=2008-01-07 |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/weekly/2008/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=29101 |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-date=2008-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031072433/http://www.aoc.gov/cvc/weekly/2008/loader.cfm?csModule=security%2Fgetfile&pageid=29101 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Emancipation Hall contains two large skylights, which each measure {{convert|30|ft|m}} by {{convert|70|ft|m}} and allow for a view of the Capitol dome never before seen.<ref name = video /> The skylights allow a significant amount of natural light into the hall and are surrounded by pools of water and seating on the roof deck.


The Hall displays the original 1857 plaster cast of the ''[[Statue of Freedom]]'', the bronze statue that stands atop the Capitol dome. It was moved to the Hall from the basement rotunda of the [[Russell Senate Office Building]], across [[Constitution Avenue]] from the Capitol, where it had stood since January, 1993.<ref>{{cite press release |title=AOC To Begin Move of Statue of Freedom Model into Capitol Visitor Center |publisher=Architect of the Capitol |date=2008-06-02 |url=http://www.aoc.gov/aoc/press-room/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=34449 |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602211413/http://www.aoc.gov/aoc/press-room/loader.cfm?csModule=security%2Fgetfile&pageid=34449 |archive-date=2009-06-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Hall displays the original 1857 plaster cast of the ''[[Statue of Freedom]]'', the bronze statue that stands atop the Capitol dome. It was moved to the Hall from the basement rotunda of the [[Russell Senate Office Building]], across [[Constitution Avenue]] from the Capitol, where it had stood since January, 1993.<ref>{{cite press release |title=AOC To Begin Move of Statue of Freedom Model into Capitol Visitor Center |publisher=Architect of the Capitol |date=2008-06-02 |url=http://www.aoc.gov/aoc/press-room/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=34449 |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602211413/http://www.aoc.gov/aoc/press-room/loader.cfm?csModule=security%2Fgetfile&pageid=34449 |archive-date=2009-06-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Line 48: Line 53:
===Exhibition Hall===
===Exhibition Hall===
[[Image:Exhibition-Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Exhibition Hall section centering on 1945–present]]
[[Image:Exhibition-Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Exhibition Hall section centering on 1945–present]]
The Exhibition Hall includes an {{convert|11|ft|m|adj=on}} high tactile polyurethane model of the Capitol dome. The hall is dominated by a pair of curving {{convert|93|ft|m|adj=on}} marble walls lined with artifacts and interactive touch-screen displays. Included in the collection are documents signed by [[George Washington]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]]. Six scale models of the complete Capitol illustrate how the building expanded over time.<ref name=wp/> Two alcoves off the main Exhibition Hall hold large flat screen televisions to allow viewers to watch live telecasts of the House and Senate floor proceedings. A third alcove located behind the tactile dome model on the main axis of the Capitol holds the [[Lincoln catafalque]], which used to be displayed in the basement beneath the [[United States Capitol crypt|crypt]]. It closed in March 2019 to undergo renovations. It reopened in 2022.
The Exhibition Hall includes an {{convert|11|ft|m|adj=on}} high tactile polyurethane model of the Capitol dome. The hall is dominated by a pair of curving {{convert|93|ft|m|adj=on}} marble walls lined with artifacts and interactive touch-screen displays. Included in the collection are documents signed by [[George Washington]] and Abraham Lincoln. Six scale models of the complete Capitol illustrate how the building expanded over time.<ref name=wp/> Two alcoves off the main Exhibition Hall hold large flat screen televisions to allow viewers to watch live telecasts of the House and Senate floor proceedings. A third alcove located behind the tactile dome model on the main axis of the Capitol holds the [[Lincoln catafalque]], which used to be displayed in the basement beneath the [[United States Capitol crypt|crypt]]. It closed in March 2019 to undergo renovations. It reopened in 2022.


===Other facilities and spaces===
===Other facilities and spaces===
Retrieved from ‘https://openusaproject.com/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/22139...32736’