Capitol Conversations
WEEKDAYS AT 1 p.m. -- Join our engaging guides and visitor services team on Zoom for Capitol Conversations – live, interactive, virtual discussions about the U.S. Capitol. During Capitol Conversations, our staff will discuss some of the U.S. Capitol’s historic spaces, artwork, artifacts and statues.
Click here for the Online Gift Shop for the books and other materials mentioned during Capitol Conversations.
To request an accommodation to participate in a Capitol Conversation, please email your request to the following email as soon as you register: AccessibilityRequests@saa.senate.gov
Tuesday, October 4 – Congress & the Barbary Wars
Learn about the Barbary Wars and how Congress acted to protect American interests on the high seas.
Registration: Congress & the Barbary Wars
Wednesday, October 5 – Exploring America: Brumidi's Landscape Medallions
Artist of the Capitol Constantino Brumidi painted scenes of the American West in the Senate corridors. Join us for a discussion about these landscapes.
Registration: Exploring America: Brumidi's Landscape Medallions
Thursday, October 6 – Exploring America: Sakakawea
North Dakota honored Sakakawea with a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection. Join us to learn more about the statue and the life of Sakakawea.
Registration: Exploring America: Sakakawea
Tuesday, October 11 – Commemorating Indigenous People in the Capitol
Native Americans are honored in many statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection. Learn more about their stories and legacies in this program.
Registration: Commemorating Indigenous People in the Capitol
Wednesday, October 12 - Royals Visit the Capitol
Leaders from around the world have visited the Capitol. This program will discuss visits from British Royalty.
Registration: Royals Visit the Capitol
Thursday, October 13 – Nathanael Greene
In 1870, Rhode Island gave a statue of Nathanael Greene to the National Statuary Hall Collection. Join us to discuss the life and legacy of this Revolutionary War hero, the first statue in the collection.
Registration: Nathanael Greene
Tuesday, October 18 – Exploring America: Mr. Edison Goes to Washington
On October 18, 1931, inventor Thomas Edison died at his home in West Orange, New Jersey, and in 2016, Ohio sent a statue of him to the National Statuary Hall Collection. Learn about the life and legacy of Edison, an explorer of new technologies that changed the world.
Registration: Exploring America: Mr. Edison Goes to Washington
Wednesday, October 19 – Exploring America: Albert Bierstadt & the Art of Western Expansion
German American immigrant Albert Bierstadt depicted Westward Expansion in paintings commissioned for the Capitol. Join us to learn more about this artist and his vision.
Registration: Exploring America: Albert Bierstadt & the Art of Western Expansion
Thursday, October 20 – Exploring America: Congress & the Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, the Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase Treaty with France. Learn more about the Louisiana Purchase that doubled the area of the United States.
Registration: Exploring America: Congress & the Louisiana Purchase
Tuesday, October 25 – Curator Talk: Westward Expansion in the Cox Corridors
Artist Allyn Cox decorated the House corridors with scenes of American history. The AOC Curator joins us to discuss Cox's depictions of Westward Expansion.
Registration: Curator Talk: Westward Expansion in the Cox Corridors
Wednesday, October 26 – Exploring America: Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh is carved in relief in the Rotunda. Learn more about this early explorer of America.
Registration: Exploring America: Sir Walter Raleigh
Thursday, October 27 – Exploring America: Jack Swigert
Colorado honored Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert with a statue in 1997. Join us for a discussion about his life, career and explorations beyond Earth.
Registration: Exploring America: Jack Swigert