Jamie L. Whitten Building, Federal administration building in Southwest Washington, United States
The Jamie L. Whitten Building is a federal administration building located in Southwest Washington with five stories of marble and granite exterior. Reinforced concrete wings support the neoclassical design that serves as the headquarters for the United States Department of Agriculture.
Built between 1903 and 1908, this structure was the first large Beaux-Arts building in Washington and set the standard for federal architecture in the city. Its success influenced the design of other government buildings constructed in the Federal Triangle.
Murals by Gilbert White and sculptures by Adolph Alexander Weinman decorate the interior, depicting agricultural themes and rural life across America. These artworks give the spaces a distinctive character and show how farming shaped the nation.
The building is located at 1400 Independence Avenue and offers a visitor center along with government offices and a cafeteria. Plan your visit during standard business hours when the facilities are fully open and accessible.
Two stone bridges decorated with Guastavino tiles span Independence Avenue to connect the building wings, each honoring a historic figure in American agriculture. These architectural details often go unnoticed but reveal the craftsmanship and symbolic touches woven throughout the structure.
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