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The United States Government Manual
Architect of the Capitol
U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC 20515
202-228-1793
http://www.aoc.gov
| ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL | Thomas J. Carroll III, Acting |
| Deputy Architect of the Capitol | (vacancy) |
| DIRECTORS | |
| Communications and Congressional Relations | Erin Courtney, Acting |
| Safety, Fire and Environmental Programs | Patricia Williams |
| General Counsel | Jason Baltimore |
Jurisdictions Reporting to the Architect
| CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR VISITOR SERVICES | |
| U.S. Capitol Visitor Center | Beth Plemmons |
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | |
| U.S. Botanic Garden | Saharah Moon Chapotin |
OPERATIONS
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | (vacancy) |
| CHIEF OFFICERS | |
| Administrative | William R. O'Donnell |
| Financial | Jonathan Kraft, Acting |
| DIRECTOR | |
| Planning and Project Management | Peter W. Mueller |
Jurisdictions Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer
| DIRECTORS | |
| Capitol Grounds and Arboretum | James Kaufmann |
| Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security | Val Hasberry, Acting |
| Capitol Power Plant | Christopher Potter |
| FACILITY MANAGER | |
| Supreme Court Building and Grounds | Joseph A. Campbell |
| SUPERINTENDENTS | |
| Capitol Building | Mark Reed |
| House Office Buildings | Michelle Kayon, Acting |
| Library Buildings and Grounds | Antonio M. Edmonds |
| Senate Office Buildings | Lawrence Barr, Acting |
Office of Inspector General
| Inspector General | Christopher P. Failla |
The above list of key personnel was updated 10–2019.
The Architect of the Capitol maintains the U.S. Capitol and the buildings and grounds of the Capitol campus.
ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION
The origins of the office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) may be traced to the act of July 16, 1790, that established "the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States" (1 Stat. 130).
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/1st-congress/session-2/c1s2ch28.pdfThe title Architect of the Capitol is the official title of both the agency and the person who heads it. The act of August 15, 1876, that made "appropriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Government . . . and for other purposes" established permanent authority for the care and maintenance of the U.S. Capitol (19 Stat. 147).
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/44th-congress/session-1/c44s1ch287.pdfPrior to 1989, the President selected the Architect for an unlimited term and without any formal action by Congress. An act of November 21, 1989, that made "appropriations for the Legislative Branch . . . and for other purposes" changed the procedure. This statute, which is also cited as the "Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990," stipulates that the President appoints the Architect of the Capitol for a term of 10 years, by the advice and with the consent of the Senate, from a list of at least three candidates whom a congressional commission recommends (103 Stat. 1068). Upon confirmation by the Senate, the Architect becomes an official of the legislative branch as an officer of Congress. The Architect is eligible for reappointment at the end of his or her 10-year term. While overseeing the agency, the Architect also serves as the Acting Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-103/pdf/STATUTE-103-Pg1041.pdfThe Congressional Research Service prepared the report "Architect of the Capitol: Appointment, Duties, and Current Issues," which includes a section on the statutory evolution of the Architect's office. Mildred Amer, a specialist on the Congress, of the Government and Finance Division, prepared the report in October of 2008.
https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL32820.htmlAn organizational directory is available online.
https://www.aoc.gov/organizational-directoryACTIVITIES
The Architect of the Capitol serves the Congress and Supreme Court in its capacity as the builder and steward of the landmark buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. AOC employees preserve and maintain the art, historic buildings, monuments, and gardens on the Capitol campus. Comprising more than 2,000 employees and providing around-the-clock service, the AOC team creates a safe environment and inspiring experiences for those who visit or work on Capitol Hill.
The agency oversees the operations and care of more than 17.4 million square feet of facilities, 580 acres of grounds, and thousands of works of art. The Capitol campus accommodates 30,000 daily occupants and hosts more than 3 million visitors annually.
https://www.aoc.gov/defining-aocSources of Information
Architecture
A trove of information on columns, materials, styles, and more is available on the "Buildings and Grounds" web page.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/buildings-groundsArt
The AOC website includes pages on AOC art stories, artists, art by State, decorative arts, paintings and murals, and sculptures, as well as on African Americans, Native Americans, and women in art.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/artBlog
AOC experts write on the architecture, art, and work on the Capitol Hill.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/blogBusiness Opportunities
Information for contractors and small businesses—delivery instructions, procedures, procurement opportunities, and programs—is accessible online.
https://www.aoc.gov/about-us/work-with-us/procurement-contractingOpportunities are available for small businesses.
https://www.aoc.gov/about-us/work-with-us/small-business-opportunitiesCareer Opportunities
The AOC relies heavily on architects, carpenters, electricians, engineers, gardeners, masons, mechanics, painters and plasterers, plumbers, and sheet metal workers to maintain the U.S. Capitol and the buildings and grounds of the surrounding campus.
https://www.aoc.gov/about-us/work-with-usEvents
The AOC website contains pages of events associated with the U.S. Capitol and Botanic Garden. Events include Christmas tree displays, concerts, lying in state, Presidential Inaugurations, and State of the Union addresses.
https://www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/programs-ceremoniesFacts
Capitol Hill facts are posted on the AOC website.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/capitol-hill-factsGrounds
Frederick L. Olmsted planned the late 19th-century expansion and landscaping of the Capitol Grounds. Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City, was regarded as the most talented American landscape architect of his day. The "About the Grounds" web page features an informative 4-minute video on his plan for the U.S. Capitol.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/buildings-grounds/capitol-building/capitol-groundsHistory
President George Washington appointed commissioners to provide buildings and accommodations for Congress. The commissioners hired the French artist and engineer Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a Revolutionary War veteran, to lay out the new city. They also staged a competition for the design of the Capitol. Dr. William Thornton's entry won the competition. To learn more about the first "architect of the capitol" and the Architects that followed, visit the AOC's history web pages.
https://www.aoc.gov/about-us/historyMap
A map of Capitol Hill is available online.
https://www.aoc.gov/mapNews
The AOC posts news and notices on its website.
https://www.aoc.gov/about-us/news-noticesOversight
The Office of the Inspector General from the AOC posts reports and data on Oversight.gov, a text-searchable repository of reports that Federal Inspectors General publish. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency operates and maintains the website to increase public access to independent and authoritative information on the Federal Government.
https://oversight.govPlanning a Visit
Information on accessibility services, activities, tours, visiting hours, and where to shop and eat is available online.
https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visitProjects
The AOC never lacks things to preserve or restore. Visit the "Projects" web page to learn about ongoing work.
https://www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/projectsPublications
The AOC publishes a variety of publications that are accessible online.
https://www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/publicationsSocial Media
The AOC has a Facebook account.
https://www.facebook.com/ArchitectoftheCapitolThe AOC tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/uscapitolThe AOC posts videos on its YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/AOCgovTrees
Approximately 890 trees surround the Capitol Building on Capitol Square, and more than 4,300 trees grow throughout the 274-acre Capitol Grounds. A tree map is available on the "Trees on Capitol Grounds" web page.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/buildings-grounds/capitol-building/capitol-grounds/trees