Library of Congress, National library in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States.
Description
The institution occupies three connected buildings on Capitol Hill and holds more than 164 million items including manuscripts, maps, photographs, and recordings. It functions as the national library of the United States and serves Congress as well as researchers from around the world.
History
President John Adams established the institution in 1800, initially housed within the Capitol building itself. The move to the current main building occurred in 1897 when the collection outgrew its original location.
Culture
Visitors experience a space designed to honor knowledge through art and architecture, where reading rooms invite quiet study beneath painted ceilings. The building serves researchers and tourists alike, bridging scholarship with public access to rare materials.
Practical
Free guided tours run from Tuesday through Saturday between 10 AM and 5 PM, with extended hours until 7 PM on Thursdays. The exhibition galleries are open to everyone, while reading rooms require registration for serious research purposes.
Did you know?
The collection includes one of three perfect copies of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum, displayed in a dedicated case within the Thomas Jefferson Building. The building also houses personal items from famous Americans, including the contents of Abraham Lincoln's pockets from the night of his assassination.
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United States Supreme Court Building
211 m
Thomas Jefferson Building
71 m
Capitol Hill
386 m
The Apotheosis of Washington
382 m
National Statuary Hall Collection
382 m
United States Capitol Complex
325 m
United States Capitol Crypt
394 m
Washington's Tomb
397 m
Cannon House Office Building
267 m
Folger Shakespeare Library
158 m
United States Capitol Visitor Center
336 m
C Street Center
302 m
James Madison Memorial Building
208 m
John Adams Building
176 mUnited States Senate Vice Presidential Bust Collection
325 m
Capitol Reflection Pool
789 m
The Rescue
373 m
Discovery of America
357 m
Apotheosis of Democracy
338 m
Court of Neptune Fountain
88 m
Florida House on Capitol Hill
203 m
Bust of Sojourner Truth
287 m
Butler Building
358 m
Moldenhauer Archives
118 m
Hiram W. Johnson House
310 mRichards Building
363 m
Watterston House
265 m
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
174 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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