Ohio Clock

The Ohio Clock is a cabinet-style timepiece located near the Senate Chamber in the Capitol and stands about 11 feet tall. Its face displays a shield with seventeen stars and is wound by hand each week to keep accurate time during sessions.

Clockmaker Thomas Voigt created this piece in 1815 when Senator David Daggett commissioned it for the older Capitol building. It later moved to the current Capitol and has witnessed numerous legislative moments over nearly 2 centuries.

The clock is named after Ohio and served as a gathering point where senators would check the time between votes. Today, visitors can observe how it continues to mark the pace of daily Senate operations.

Viewing the clock is free and part of a standard Capitol tour where visitors can enter the historic Senate area. Photography is allowed, and the corridor lighting provides good visibility to see the clock face clearly.

The glass covering was shattered during a 1983 bomb attack on the Capitol and was later replaced with reinforced glass. The timepiece survived the incident without major mechanical damage and continued operating as if nothing had happened.

Location: Washington, D.C.

GPS coordinates: 38.89040,-77.00890

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:48