A new dome
In 1856, workers removed the old dome of the U.S. Capitol and began replacing it with a new fireproof cast-iron dome. Philip Reid, a slave, supervised the placement...
A president immortalized
Taken in 1920, this photograph shows the installation of President Abraham Lincoln’s statue at the Lincoln Memorial. Originally designed to be 10 feet tall, the...
Accommodating Taft
Even in an era before obesity became a national health concern, President William Howard Taft seemed larger than life. During his Presidency, 1909-13, the 340 pounds...
Back on track!
This 1876 photograph illustrates the lack of progress toward completion of the Washington Monument. Begun on July 4, 1848, the monument was only 176 feet high in 1861...
Building a better bank
Construction crews move a pillar into place in 1861 during construction of the west wing of the oldest Federal departmental building in Washington, D.C. In 1836,...
CCC road builder
Roy Warren of Nowatta, Oklahoma, enrolled with the Civilian Conservation Corps’ Company 876. The 18-year-old served for almost 2 years building roads before he...
Completed! At last!
This 1884 photograph of the Washington Monument details the scaffolding needed during the placement of the aluminum capstone at the top. The monument was completed on...