Originally the Capitol was supposed to be built by L'Enfant but he wouldn't give President Washington any sketches so he had to get rid of him. He was also difficult with the city planners The man who eventually designed it had no formal architectural training (Dr. William Thornton). He did have some help from the runner up Stephen Hallet because he really had no knowledge of how to execute the plan.
During the War of 1812 the Capitol was burned but wasn't completely destroyed. In 1827 the two wings were joined by a dome. In the 1850s with new states joining the Union they had to expand the wings even more. Right before the Civil War they began to replace the old dome but had to stop once the war began. Soldiers at this time even set up camp in the Capitol to protect DC. After assassinated, Lincoln was the first President to lie in state (about 30 people had the honor since him).
The visitor center we waited in is fairly new-- completed only last year. Before the center, people had to wait outside to tour the capitol.
The US Capitol was grand in magnitude and opulent in its decor. The size and scale represented the importance of this branch of government. Within the halls different groups of people were being represented thus making a connection of place with people. However, as important as the function of this branch of government is, does it really represent our national identity? The place itself seems to be more befitting of a monarch. It is not representative of a humbled branch of government. It seems too grandiose to correspond with its function, especially because it is the branch most directly linked with the American public. This space was awe inspiring and disturbing at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with June that the Capitol is grandiose but it is also OUR Capitol. We can come visit it, lobby OUR representatives in government, and watch laws being made. We can come to the Capitol and make some sort of difference. If we were in a building far more plain, I feel like people would be less inspired to take an active role in government. Heck, I felt the Capitol was such a place of reverence and importance, I wore a sports coat in that damn heat! I like to think that though opulent, it is an homage to the greatness of the American dream. Sure not everyone is a millionaire, but we aspire to be. We aspire to be great, to lead our country, to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThat is the image we project to the rest of the world, and seeing the Capitol makes others feel, well, one the one hand, inspired, but quite possibly insignificant, which I think the original designers probably intended. We were a new country, and projecting strength through architecture, grand and opulent, was a language the Old World understood. How interesting that in these two paragraphs, I have encompassed the concept of national identity changing over time. We started out projecting strength and now I feel we project the inspiration to do well, to be worldly, to be involved, to be powerful and strong all at the same time.
I agree that the Capitol is a magnificent and awe-inspiring site. I would hope that a building such as this would be a symbol of our strong government for other nations. It has become an instantly recognizable symbol. I like the idea though as Michael said that it is meant to inspire the average American and on some level it embodies the American Dream and what we are all capable of achieving as citizens.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and inspiring space as Michael noted. I especially enjoyed being in the national statuary hall and was pleased to see controversial figures such as Jefferson Davis, John C. Calhoun and Robert E. Lee in the room because although they would be on the losing side of history they were indeed major figures in their respective times that represented a large constituency. I think it does great justice to all those that were a part of making our history.
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