Exhibition Hall at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Exhibition Hall is home to E Pluribus Unum - Out of Many One, the only exhibition in the world dedicated to telling the story of the United States Congress and the U.S. Capitol. Exhibition Hall features original documents and artifacts, videos, touchable models, computer interactives and two small theaters, providing visitors with an in-depth look at how Congress works, the history of the Capitol and Congress, as well as information on Representatives and Senators.
Conflict and Compromise
Beginning Monday, March 11, the Capitol Visitor Center presents a selection of historic documents and artifacts in Exhibition Hall entitled “Conflict and Compromise.” No reservations or passes are needed to visit Exhibition Hall, which is located on the lower level of the Visitor Center, behind the plaster model of the Statue of Freedom. Click here to see the exhibit.
By providing a place for debate and compromise, Congress has led the nation through challenging times. Several items in the new selection focus on the Mexican War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. War between the U.S. and Mexico arose from disputes regarding their international boundary and U.S. attempts to expand its territory into Mexico. In March 1848, the Senate approved for ratification the treaty ending the Mexican War, which was signed in Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico, on February 2. The display includes the actual Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed with wax seals on February 2, 1848. Also included is a sketch from the Office of the Mexican Boundary Survey showing the area south of the Rio Gila, which is now part of Arizona.
There are many other treasured documents loaned from the National Archives and the Library of Congress that you won’t want to miss. The Capitol Visitor Center, including Exhibition Hall, is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Twenty-minute Exhibition Hall tours are available Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Explore Online Exhibitions
Curious about what happened at the U.S. Capitol and in Congress during the Civil War? Explore our new Website, “Building A More Perfect Union.”
Click here for a virtual exploration of Exhibition Hall's E Pluribus Unum - Out of Many, One.
