United States Supreme Court Building, Federal supreme court in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States.
The United States Supreme Court Building is a neoclassical courthouse on Capitol Hill built from white Vermont marble with sixteen Corinthian columns along the main facade. Bronze doors with relief panels lead into an entrance hall featuring marble staircases and coffered ceilings while symmetrical wings house offices, libraries and archive spaces.
For decades the court met in various Capitol chambers until Chief Justice William Howard Taft pushed for a separate building starting in 1929. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the plans and construction began in 1932 with justices holding their first session in October 1935.
Visitors often gather in groups on the front steps to photograph the building or discuss current legal questions. School groups and tour parties use the open plaza in front for lessons on constitutional topics while lawyers and journalists move regularly through the halls.
Public sessions run from October through June with seating available on a first-come basis for those willing to queue early morning. Free entry includes access to ground-floor exhibits and the Great Hall even when court is not in session.
A regulation basketball court on the fifth floor serves staff and law clerks during breaks for physical activity within the secure building perimeter. This space emerged after employees requested recreational options during long working hours and sits directly above the chamber where constitutional cases are heard.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Inception: 1935
Architects: Cass Gilbert, Robert Ingersoll Aitken, Hermon Atkins MacNeil
Architectural style: neoclassicism, Beaux-Arts
Floors above the ground: 5
Floors below the ground: 1
Height: 28 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Made from material: marble, steel, Quercus alba
Part of: United States federal courts
Address: 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-15:00
Phone: +12024793000
Website: https://supremecourt.gov/about/courtbuilding.aspx
GPS coordinates: 38.89050,-77.00450
Latest update: December 2, 2025 21:23
Washington DC, the capital of the United States, houses the three branches of federal government and the nation's most significant political institutions. The White House serves as the presidential residence, while the Capitol building hosts Congress and the Supreme Court represents the judicial branch. The National Mall extends 2 miles (3 kilometers) and connects historic monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument, which commemorate the nation's founders. The city holds an exceptional concentration of museums, many belonging to the Smithsonian Institution and offering free admission. The National Air and Space Museum displays the history of aviation and space exploration, while the National Gallery of Art presents an extensive collection of European and American art. The Library of Congress preserves over 170 million items and ranks as the largest library in the world. Memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial honor significant events and figures in American history. Historic districts like Georgetown and Embassy Row, along with green spaces such as the Tidal Basin and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, complement the capital's cultural and natural offerings.
Washington D.C is more than just the White House and the presidency of the United States. The city contains a collection of iconic monuments, national museums, and government buildings that represent American history and culture. Here, we suggest stepping off the beaten path and discovering the city from another perspective, away from the noise of American politics.
Library of Congress
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United States Capitol Complex
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Thomas Jefferson Building
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Hart Senate Office Building
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Folger Shakespeare Library
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John Adams Building
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United States Senate Vice Presidential Bust Collection
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Court of Neptune Fountain
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Florida House on Capitol Hill
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Hiram W. Johnson House
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The Court of Neptune
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Garfield Monument
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Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial
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Authority of Law
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Folger Theatre
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Cup
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Cup
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Puck from William Shakespeare
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East Pediment
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West Pediment
52 m
Chief Justice John Marshall Statue
10 m
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