Capitol Building Research Paper
The United States Capitol Building The United States Capitol was under construction starting in 1793 and continues being modified today. During the first few years of the United States Capitol being built, the Civil War was going on. The Capitol building was built on Jenkins Hill, also known as Capitol Hill. The Capitol was built because the writers of the Constitution had to pick a home for the government. The Capitol Building is honoring the United States government. “In 1787, the writers of the Constitution allowed for a permanent home for the federal government, but they did not specify where this home would be established” (Santella, 7). A new act in 1790 passed, the Residence Act, stating that the government would take residence
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Pierre Charles L’ Enfant was the first person to design the building, but failed by not making a drawing for the building, saying that he carried the design “in his head.” Commissioners then announced that the person with the most approved plan would get five hundred dollars. Even though he turned in his plan late, William Thornton gained approval for his plan (Capitol Encyclopedia). He created the design for the central section, the north wing, and the south wing. “On September 18, 1793, President Washington laid the cornerstone of the building and construction began” (Santella, 10). In August of 1814, the Capitol was burned by the British (United States). The Capitol wasn’t completely destroyed because of a storm (US Capitol). After being restored, the Capitol was too small, so they once again held a competition. The winning prize was five hundred dollars for the best design. They could not choose the best design, so they had to split the money five ways. The final choice for the addition was designed by Thomas U. Walter. His design had two wings on the sides of the building. The total cost of the Capitol is one hundred thirty-three million dollars (Capitol Hill). Today the capitol is seven hundred fifty-one feet long, three hundred fifty feet wide, two hundred eighty-seven feet tall, and the floor covers a total of sixteen acres (Santella, 4). At the base of the Statue of Freedom are the Latin words “E Pluribus Unum.” This means “Out of many, one” (6). In December of 1863 the Statue of Freedom was put on top of the dome (United
Pierre Charles L’ Enfant was the first person to design the building, but failed by not making a drawing for the building, saying that he carried the design “in his head.” Commissioners then announced that the person with the most approved plan would get five hundred dollars. Even though he turned in his plan late, William Thornton gained approval for his plan (Capitol Encyclopedia). He created the design for the central section, the north wing, and the south wing. “On September 18, 1793, President Washington laid the cornerstone of the building and construction began” (Santella, 10). In August of 1814, the Capitol was burned by the British (United States). The Capitol wasn’t completely destroyed because of a storm (US Capitol). After being restored, the Capitol was too small, so they once again held a competition. The winning prize was five hundred dollars for the best design. They could not choose the best design, so they had to split the money five ways. The final choice for the addition was designed by Thomas U. Walter. His design had two wings on the sides of the building. The total cost of the Capitol is one hundred thirty-three million dollars (Capitol Hill). Today the capitol is seven hundred fifty-one feet long, three hundred fifty feet wide, two hundred eighty-seven feet tall, and the floor covers a total of sixteen acres (Santella, 4). At the base of the Statue of Freedom are the Latin words “E Pluribus Unum.” This means “Out of many, one” (6). In December of 1863 the Statue of Freedom was put on top of the dome (United