United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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“The House of Representatives, in some respects, I think, is the most peculiar assemblage in the world,” Speaker Joe Cannon of Illinois once observed. Behind the legislation and procedure, House Members and staff have produced their own institutional history and heritage. Our blog, Whereas: Stories from the People’s House, tells their stories.

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Displaying 1–12 of 54 results

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Edition for Educators—Presidency and the House

by History on September 6, 2018
This Edition for Educators highlights the Presidency and its complicated relationship with the House of Representatives.
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Categories: Presidents, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Congressional Zoo

by History on July 6, 2018
The House of Representatives is no stranger to mankind’s four-legged friends in the animal kingdom. Whether considering legislation that affects the wildlife of the nation or simply posing alongside a beloved pet, there is often a zoological presence on the Hill. This Edition for Educators focuses on all things animal in Congress.
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Categories: Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Districts

by History on June 6, 2018
Massachusetts Speaker Tip O’Neill once said, “All politics is local.” With elections held every two years, the House of Representatives is designed to be immediately answerable to its constituents. Members typically seek to gain committee assignments that align with their districts’ interests and frequently return home to connect with voters. This Edition for Educators focuses on congressional districts and how their unique needs influence the Members who represent them.
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Categories: Elections, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Committees

by History on April 25, 2018
Since the 1st Congress (1789–1791) the House has organized into committees in order to more thoroughly consider pending legislation and to allow Members to specialize in certain legislative areas.
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Categories: Committees, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Trivia

by History on November 29, 2017
This month’s edition for educators focuses on finding factoids about the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, using the History, Art & Archives website. The most basic information can sometimes be the hardest to find. Two hundred twenty-eight years of history and precedent produces plenty of unique and obscure trivia, and this blog presents a search for some of that trivia across our online resources.
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Categories: Superlatives, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—House Leadership

by History on November 14, 2017
This Edition for Educators highlights House Leadership. The U.S. Constitution offers spare guidance as to how House leadership should be organized, noting only that the Membership “shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers.” By the early 20th century, each of the major parties gradually created entire organizations to advance their legislative agendas in the House.
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Categories: Members of Congress, Speakers of the House, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Congressional Staff

by History on September 28, 2017
This month’s Edition for Educators features the staffs who work for the Members of Congress. Since the late 19th century, Congressional staffs help the House conduct the nation’s business in Members’ offices, on committees, or through House Officers such as the Clerk of the House or Sergeant-at-Arms. Learn more about some of the individuals that one scholar called the House’s “unelected representatives.”
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Categories: Congressional Staff, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Thomas Brackett Reed

by History on August 21, 2017
This Edition for Educators highlights the always quotable Thomas Brackett Reed of Maine.
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Categories: Members of Congress, Speakers of the House, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—House History Through Official House Records

by Archives on July 28, 2017
One document can trace the will of the people, the history of the country, and the work of the House of Representatives. House Records—defined as the official, permanent records of the House Committees and Officers—reflect how citizens and their government address and advocate for issues. Recently we launched a way to explore a selection of these records in the Record Search database.
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Categories: Records & Research, Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Summer Reading 2017

by History on June 26, 2017
It’s officially summertime and class is out! With summer comes vacation time and beach reading, and we have a few suggestions for where to get started. Learn more about some House History “summer reading” options.
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Categories: Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—Picnic Edition

by History on May 26, 2017
In the great tradition of summer picnics and cookouts, this edition for educators provides inspiration for your next al fresco outing complete with a touch of the House for your celebration.
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Categories: Edition for Educators

Edition for Educators—House Civics 101

by History on April 5, 2017
In America’s complicated, multidimensional system of government, the United States House of Representatives holds a unique set of powers. For clarity on its responsibilities we need to look no further than the Constitution.
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Categories: Edition for Educators
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov