United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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The Evolution of the National Capitol

A color print showing four stages of the Capitol’s development from 1814 to 1897, along with an eagle with outstretched wings, the President’s House in 1800 and a general view of Washington in 1834. Changes in the dome and additions to the wings over time are depicted./tiles/collection/6/6460.xml
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A color print showing four stages of the Capitol’s development from 1814 to 1897, along with an eagle with outstretched wings, the President’s House in 1800 and a general view of Washington in 1834. Changes in the dome and additions to the wings over time are depicted.
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Date

1897-03-13

Artist

Henry (Harry) Fenn

Publication

Harper's Weekly

Publisher

Harper & Brothers

Dimensions

15 1/2 × 10 3/4 in. (39.4 × 27.3 cm) Framed: 23 9/16 × 18 1/2 in. (59.8 × 47 cm)

Accession Number

2004.087.019

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

Several stages of the Capitol’s development are illustrated in this print. The early years, before any dome was built, appear in vignettes over the eagle’s wings at the top. The 1828 changes—marked by the Bulfinch dome—and the building as it appeared around the turn of the 20th century, with the white Walter dome, extended wings, and landscaped grounds, complete the visual chronology.

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Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov