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{{Organization
{{Organization
|OrganizationName=United States Capitol Visitor Center
|OrganizationName=Capitol Visitor Center
|OrganizationType=Executive Departments (Sub-organization)
|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.
|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 and Architect of the Capitol
|ParentOrganization=United States Capitol Police
|CreationLegislation=Capitol Visitor Center Act of 1998
|CreationLegislation=Capitol Visitor Center Act of 1998
|OrganizationExecutive=CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
|Services=Guided tours; Educational programs; Exhibits; Orientation films; Visitor assistance
|Services=Guided tours; Educational programs; Exhibits; Orientation films; Visitor assistance
|HeadquartersLocation=38.88978, -77.00887
|HeadquartersLocation=38.88978, -77.00887
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===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>
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===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===
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