Library of Congress

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: April 24, 1800

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Website: https://loc.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.88861,-77.00472

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:38