Washington, D.C. is a tourist’s dream. There are museums everywhere for every taste and interest. In the Library of Congress, located across from the United States Capitol Building, there is stunning architecture and an incomprehensible array of resources.
The Jefferson Building
On a tour of the Jefferson Building, our guide pointed out the various components of the main hall, the reading room, and the exterior designs. Classical in appearance, on closer inspection it is possible to discover uniquely American symbolism. The interior contains elaborate works of art and many quotations.
The original Washington architects John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz and traveled throughout Europe and around the world drawing from the great buildings to create the central Italian Renaissance edifice with distinctly American aspects. When the Jefferson Building was built in 1897, fifty American sculptors and artists each decorated a portion of the structure and they were free to choose their own depiction of the theme “Human Achievement.” The result is an eclectic mix of styles and color that presents a panorama of history.
The Jefferson Building has elements of the Paris Opera House, the Taj Mahal, and palaces and cultural buildings from many places. It was renovated in 1997 for its 100th anniversary. There are two additional buildings: the John Adams, built in 1939, and the James Madison, completed in 1980.
An underground tunnel connects the Jefferson Building with the Capitol Buildiing. Since Congress has primary utilization of the library, its members are easily able to avail themselves of the collection.
Library of Congress Collection
The Library of Congress is the repository for all books and materials having a copyright. This means that a continuous flow of materials comes to the library at the rate of 22,000 per day. Each is cataloged and given its number before being included in the collection.
The Library also contains maps, artifacts, movies, recordings, and other items holding a copyright. Several rare maps are on display and rotating exhibitions feature particular collections of interest. When we visited, one room featured the personal library of Thomas Jefferson. He sold his own books to the United States after the British burned the Capitol Building in 1814. At that time, the library was housed in a portion of the Capitol and Jefferson’s books formed the basis for the revitalized library.
Special Interest Items
The Library of Congress is always on the lookout for unique and rare items for its collection. Librarians were able to purchase a perfect vellum copy of the Gutenburg Bible in 1929 for $1.5 million dollars. The deal was considered outrageous at the time. However today, the Bible is priceless and the treasure is preserved for all time in a special case.
Another room contains early world maps of all types. The original prints are fascinating to peruse as the mapmakers drew the known world of the time.
The Library is open to everyone and the large reading room offers an opportunity to enjoy the huge collection. Congress is the number one user of the library with many books being utilized for research.
Before presidential libraries became popular, the Library of Congress was the repository of presidential papers. Twenty-three presidents, from Washington to Coolidge, have their papers stored at the library.
Free tours are given on a regular basis from the visitor’s desk at the tunnel entrance. The Library of Congress is a national treasure and well worth a visit while in Washington, D.C. both for its décor and its history.
Ethel Brodie - Intrigued by the world, encouraged to write my observations, published in newspapers and magazines, and sharing special places.
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