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The Capitol has a complicated history. Many architects and
builders contributed to the present building. America's first President, George
Washington, did lay the cornerstone for the Capitol. Here is a brief outline of the other
main contributors and their accomplishments.
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These are the blueprints of the original designs of the
Capitol. |
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Date |
Architect/Builder |
Accomplishment |
| 1797 |
William Thornton |
William Thornton designed the original layout of the Capitol
building, which was chosen by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. His design
included two domed spaces, an elliptical colonnade, an oval staircase, and much more. |
| 1803 (Campaign 1) |
Benjamin Henry Latrobe |
Benjamin Henry Latrobe was hired to resume construction in
1803. He was suppose to build according to Thornton's design, however, he found the
design to be faulty so he redesigned and rebuilt many rooms and aspects in the Capitol
such as a single, saucer dome instead of two. |
| 1815 (Campaign 2, after the War of 1812) |
Benjamin Henry Latrobe |
During this campaign, Benjamin Henry Latrobe rebuilt the rooms
damaged by the British when they took over the Capito. He continued to design and build
until his death in 1817. He did leave a collection of drawings for the completion of
the Capitol. |
| 1818 |
Charles Bulfinch |
Charles Bulfinch was hired to finish building the Capitol.
He executed Latrobe's design but also added in his own design. He did
complete the Capitol in 1829, however, office space and the size of the legislative
chambers were too small. |
| 1851 |
Thomas U. Walter |
Thomas U. Walter's designs to extend the Capitol building with
expansions were approved by President Millard Fillmore. |
| 1853 |
Montgomery C. Meigs |
Montgomery C. Meigs was given control to complete the
expansions. He placed the chambers for the House of Representatives and the Senate in
the new wings which were built. |
Since the completion of the Capitol, there have been many renovations to
the Capitol building.
The following pictures are models of the Capitol during construction:
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This model shows the design for the Capitol that was completed in 1797 by
William Thornton. It was the original design for the Capitol of the United States of
America. |
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This model represents the Capitol construction as designed by Benjamin
Henry Latrobe, which was completed in 1829. |
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This model shows the revised elevation of the dome of the Capitol in 1846. |
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Bibliography:
1. Scott, Pamela, Lee, Antoinette J., Society of Architectural
Historians: Buildings of the United States: Buildings of the District of Columbia, New
York, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1993
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