Discover

The oldest of the three United States Library of Congress buildings, the 'Thomas Jefferson Building' was built in 1890-97. It is known for its elaborately decorated facade and interior, designed by John L. Smithmeyer who was replaced by his assistant, Paul J. Pelz, who was succeeded by Edward Pearce Casey.^[1] More than forty American painters and sculptors produced commissioned works of art.

Contents

History

Capitol Page School

Notes

References

See also

History

Needing more room for its increasing collection, the Library of Congress under Librarian Ainsworth Rand Spofford suggested to the Congress that a new building be built specifically to serve as the American national library. Prior to this the Library existed in a wing of the Capitol Building. The new building was needed partly because of the growing Congress, but also partly because of the Copyright Law of 1870, which required all copyright applicants to send to the Library two copies of their work. This resulted in a flood of books, pamphlets, maps, music, prints and photographs. Spofford had been instrumental in the enactment of this law.
After Congress approved construction of the building in 1886, it took 11 years to complete. The building opened to the public on November 1 1897, met with wide approval and was immediately seen as a national monument. Originally called simply the "Library of Congress Building," its name was changed on June 13 1980 to honor former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, who had been a key figure in the establishment of the Library in 1800. Jefferson offered to sell his personal book collection to Congress in September 1814, one month after the British had burned the Capitol in the War of 1812.

Capitol Page School

Senate, House and Supreme Court pages used to attend school together in the Capitol Page School located on the attic level above the Great Hall. Upon the separation of the programs (and the abolishment of the Supreme Court Page Program), the schools split. Senate Pages now attend school in the basement of their dormitory, while House Pages continue to attend classes above the Great Hall.

Notes

1. Casey was the son of Brig. Gen. Thomas Lincoln Casey, Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

References

''The below references are public domain websites of the Library of Congress''

★ http://www.loc.gov/loc/walls/jeff1.html - "On These Walls" Library of Congress website

★ http://www.loc.gov/jefftour/history.html - Thomas Jefferson Building

See also

★ John Adams Building

★ James Madison Memorial Building