Library of Congress

The concept of establishing a library for the use of members of Congress dates all the way back to 1800. But for nearly a century, this library and its collection traveled from place to place, sometimes displaced by fire or other tragedies and sometimes outgrowing its space.

In 1886, however, the first separate Library of Congress building was authorized. At that time, the current Librarian of the Congress, Ainsworth Rand Spofford, drew up plans and presented them for approval. However, it wasn’t Spofford’s plans that were ultimately used for the construction of what was to become known as The Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.

The architects chosen for the task were John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz but they were later dismissed and replaced with Gen. Edward Pearce Casey and civil engineer Bernard R. Green. An additional forty-two sculptors and painters were also part of the construction and their works grace the elaborate interior of the library.

Opening in 1897, the Library of Congress’ design was based on the Paris Opera House and was constructed of marble, granite, iron, and bronze. It has many Greek characteristics, such as Ionic columns and relief sculptures, and features a number of statues of Greek Gods.

In the main reading room, eight large marble columns support 10-foot-high allegorical female figures, made of plaster and representing “characteristic features of civilized life and thought” - Religion, Commerce, History, Art, Philosophy, Poetry, Law and Science. In addition,16 bronze statues that sit on the balustrades of the galleries honor men whose lives symbolized the thoughts and activities represented by the allegorical statues.

In 1930, an Annex Building was constructed on land directly east of the main building. It is best described as a classical building with Art Deco details, typical of the era during which it was built. It was designed by Washington architectural firm Pierson & Wilson, with Alexander Buel Trowbridge as consulting architect. It opened in 1939 and is now known as the Adams Building. It can accommodate some 10 million volumes!

The most recent building in the Library of Congress complex was completed in 1981 and is dubbed the Madison Building. At more than 2 million square-feet or about 186,000 square meter in size, it is one of the three largest public buildings in the District of Columbia. It houses the library’s administrative offices, the Congressional Research Service, the Law Library, the Office of the Librarian, the Copyright Office, and eight reading rooms.