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34-876: Created in 1876 in honor of the United States turning 100 years old, the Capitol Guide Service was subject to the direction, supervision, and control of a Capitol Guide Board consisting of the Architect of the Capitol , the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate , and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives . These same three officials also made up the Capitol Police Board . The board

68-503: A Capitol Guide Board consisting of the Architect of the Capitol , the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate , and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives . These same three officials also made up the Capitol Police Board . The board was abolished in 2008. Key Guide Service personnel included the Director, four Assistant Directors, as well as many regular guides. Personnel of the Capitol Guide Service could also be transferred to

102-635: A safe distance from the Capitol itself. A second tunnel was constructed to connect the CVC to the Library of Congress . Part of East Capitol Street was closed during construction and the tunnel was completed in the winter of 2005. The high cost of building the Capitol Visitor Center has been an ongoing source of controversy for the project. Time magazine projected the total cost to be nearly $ 600 million. Critics cited its three auditoriums,

136-631: A view of the Capitol dome never before seen. 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

170-467: 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 580,000 square feet (54,000 m ) of space below ground on three levels. The overall project's budget

204-470: Is mainly designed for use as a holding zone for visitors waiting to take tours of the Capitol. The number of annual visitors to the Capitol has tripled from 1,000,000 in 1970 to nearly 3,000,000 as of recent times, and it has become difficult to deal with the congestion caused by such crowds. In the past, visitors were required to line up on the Capitol's east stairs, sometimes stretching all the way to 1st Street East. This wait could last hours and no protection

238-578: Is the main hall of the CVC and measures in at 20,000 square feet (1,900 m ). It was originally designated the Great Hall , but this was changed to Emancipation Hall when a bill cosponsored by Congressman Zach Wamp and Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. was passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in January 2008. Emancipation Hall contains two large skylights, which each measure 30 feet (9.1 m) by 70 feet (21 m) and allow for

272-703: The Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) on December 2, 2008, both buildings were removed and all guide-related operations as well as the guides themselves were transferred to the jurisdiction and oversight of the Architect of the Capitol, specifically the Visitor Services Division of the Capitol Visitor Center. In 2018 (effective January 2019) the United States Capitol Guide Service was transferred to

306-607: The United States Capitol Building for the education and enlightenment of the general public , without charge for such tours." It exists under 2 U.S.C.   § 2166 . The Service's operations are part of the United States Capitol Visitor Center operations. Created in 1876 in honor of the United States turning 100 years old, the Capitol Guide Service was subject to the direction, supervision, and control of

340-719: The United States Capitol Police force at the discretion of the Capitol Guide Board to provide ushering and informational services, and other services not directly involving law enforcement. This sometimes happened during major events, such as presidential inaugurations and Lying in State ceremonies. The Capitol Guides operated out of facilities located on the south side of the United States Capitol. Visitors were processed through

374-685: The Acting Architect of the Capitol Steven T. Ayers, more-recently added statues have been given preference for a move to Emancipation Hall. On April 28, 2009, a bust of Sojourner Truth was dedicated in Emancipation Hall. The Exhibition Hall includes an 11-foot (3.4 m) high tactile polyurethane model of the Capitol dome. The hall is dominated by a pair of curving 93-foot (28 m) marble walls lined with artifacts and interactive touch-screen displays. Included in

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408-518: The CVC fails to "appropriately honor our religious heritage that has been critical to America's success." Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich started a petition seeking to more prominently recognize religion at the center. At the time of its construction, the CVC had a plaque which declared the national motto to be " E Pluribus Unum ," a traditionally used motto, but not the official United States motto. It has since been changed to

442-816: The CVC represents the largest-ever expansion of the United States Capitol and more than doubles the footprint of the U.S. Capitol building complex. The American Institute of Architects presented RTKL Associates Inc. with the Award of Excellence in Historic Resources for their work on the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The award was presented at the Architecture Week Closing Party & Design Awards Gala on September 30, 2010, in Washington, D.C. Construction of

476-493: The CVC was supervised by the Architect of the Capitol . That post was held by Alan Hantman , FAIA until his term expired on February 4, 2007; construction was then continued by then Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers , AIA, LEED AP. The ceremonial groundbreaking for the CVC took place on June 20, 2000. Although originally planned to be completed by January 2004, the final completion date (not including

510-681: The Capitol holds the Lincoln catafalque , which used to be displayed in the basement beneath the crypt . It closed in March 2019 to undergo renovations. It reopened in 2022. Two theaters located above the Exhibition Hall continuously show a 13-minute video on the history of Congress and the Capitol Complex . Visitors enter the theaters at the Emancipation Hall (lower) level and exit at the staging (upper) level. The theaters will show

544-670: The Capitol, where it had stood since January, 1993. The Hall also displays 24 statues of the National Statuary Hall Collection . The complete collection is made up of two statues from each state . The statues are donated by their respective state to honor notable residents. In the past years, all 100 statues have been housed in the Capitol, many in Statuary Hall . This has led to overcrowding of statues and relocating some of them to Emancipation Hall has allowed for some space to be reclaimed. According to

578-511: The Office of the Capitol Visitor Center. The Capitol Guide Service had two uniforms, a full dress and summer uniform. The full dress uniform was notable for its striking red blazer with a circular patch on the left breast. It was accompanied by a white shirt, navy blue tie, and navy blue pants. It could be accompanied by a navy blue vest. It was required for ceremonies and other formal occasions, as well as cold weather. The less formal summer uniform

612-551: The Senate and House expansion space) was extended to December 2, 2008. The proposed cost was originally $ 71 million, but it has risen to $ 621 million. The CVC has caused controversy for being over budget and behind schedule. Much of this is blamed on the rising cost of fuel, post- 9/11 security measures, and inclement weather. At a hearing on the CVC cost-overruns Representative Jack Kingston called it "a monument to government inefficiency, ineptitude and excessiveness." The first major construction contract, worth nearly $ 100 million,

646-539: The South Visitor Facility which included security screening and then directed into the Capitol, itself, via a walk around the west front of the building to enter through a west terrace door. Behind the South Visitor Facility was a trailer, which served as the temporary rest area and locker facility for the guides. Upon the opening of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) on December 2, 2008, both buildings were removed and all guide-related operations as well as

680-404: 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. 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

714-418: The guides themselves were transferred to the jurisdiction and oversight of the Architect of the Capitol, specifically the Visitor Services Division of the Capitol Visitor Center. In 2018 (effective January 2019) the United States Capitol Guide Service was transferred to the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center. The Capitol Guide Service had two uniforms, a full dress and summer uniform. The full dress uniform

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748-480: The largest cafeteria in Washington, and a tunnel that links the Capitol Visitor Center to the Library of Congress as a symbol of federal and Congressional overspending. In addition to the controversy attendant upon the repeated delays and cost overruns, Republicans have criticized the center for what they view as insufficient coverage of American religious heritage. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina said that

782-406: The roof deck covered the entire CVC structure. Manhattan Construction Company was responsible for the build-out including, installation of electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, coordination with existing Capitol building systems where the center connects within the Capitol building, and completion of the above-ground East Front Plaza, with related site work and security elements. The space

816-642: The same film, but on a staggered schedule to allow a smooth flow of tourists into the Capitol. Off of Emancipation Hall are two gift shops, one at the north end of the Hall and on at the south end. These replace the single gift shop previously located in the Capitol Crypt. The CVC includes a 530-seat food court, which is expected to alleviate overcrowding in the cafeterias in the Congressional office buildings . About 170,000 square feet (16,000 m ) has been reserved for use by Congress. Much of

850-413: The south side of the United States Capitol. Visitors were processed through the South Visitor Facility which included security screening and then directed into the Capitol, itself, via a walk around the west front of the building to enter through a west terrace door. Behind the South Visitor Facility was a trailer, which served as the temporary rest area and locker facility for the guides. Upon the opening of

884-469: The space is for a new Congressional Auditorium. Most of the rest of the space will be made into committee meeting rooms. A number of tunnels were constructed as part of the CVC project. The first is a 1,000-foot (300 m) long truck service tunnel, whose entrance is located north of Constitution Avenue near the underground Senate parking garage. Its goal is to alleviate traffic on the plaza and to enhance security by checking delivery and service trucks at

918-541: Was $ 621 million dollars. 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 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. The CVC officially opened on December 2, 2008. This date

952-473: Was a red cotton short sleeve polo shirt with circular patch on the left breast. It was accompanied by navy blue pants. The summer uniform was generally not worn until temperatures were above 70 °F (21 °C). Capitol Guide Board The United States Capitol Guide Service is a guide service charged by the United States Congress to "provide guided tours of the interior of

986-566: Was abolished in 2008. Key Guide Service personnel included the Director, four Assistant Directors, as well as many regular guides. Personnel of the Capitol Guide Service could also be transferred to the United States Capitol Police force at the discretion of the Capitol Guide Board to provide ushering and informational services, and other services not directly involving law enforcement. This sometimes happened during major events, such as presidential inaugurations and Lying in State ceremonies. The Capitol Guides operated out of facilities located on

1020-414: Was accompanied by navy blue pants. The summer uniform was generally not worn until temperatures were above 70 °F (21 °C). United States Capitol Visitor Center 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 and an expansion space for the U.S. Congress . It

1054-438: Was awarded to Balfour Beatty (formerly Centex Construction ), in the spring of 2002. This contract involved site demolition, slurry wall construction, excavation, construction of columns, installation of site utilities, construction of the concrete and structural steel , waterproofing, and construction of a new service tunnel . By July 2005, Balfour Beatty Construction completed all excavation and structural activities, and

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1088-401: Was notable for its striking red blazer with a circular patch on the left breast. It was accompanied by a white shirt, navy blue tie, and navy blue pants. It could be accompanied by a navy blue vest. It was required for ceremonies and other formal occasions, as well as cold weather. The less formal summer uniform was a red cotton short sleeve polo shirt with circular patch on the left breast. It

1122-525: Was offered against inclement weather. Tickets were not timed and were on a first-come, first-served basis. With the addition of the CVC, visitors now have a secure, handicap-accessible, and educational place to wait before their Capitol tours commence. Visitors are free to explore the CVC, which houses an exhibition hall, two gift shops, and a 530-seat food court. Visiting the CVC and the Capitol are free. Tickets for Capitol tours are also free and are available online for order ahead of time. Emancipation Hall

1156-438: Was selected to coincide with the 145th anniversary of placing Thomas Crawford's sculpted iconic Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol dome and building in 1863, signifying the completion of construction of its new second dome. The CVC contains three underground levels: a balcony level entrance, the Emancipation Hall (second) level and a third restricted level for new congressional offices and meeting rooms. The construction of

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