Congress Creates the Capitol Guide Service
“It’s an outrage,” said a former Member of Congress in 1944, “to charge Americans a fee for touring the halls of the legislative branch of their government.”
In 1970 Congress concurred and created a permanent Capitol Guide Service in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. All tours would now be free to all visitors and members of the Capitol Guide Force became government employees.
New Uniforms
With a new name came a new uniform. The winter navy blue and summer gray uniforms could be easily missed in a crowd. The new uniforms were striking — red blazers, white dress shirts, and blue pants and skirts.
In the 1980s, Visitor Guide Ted Daniel worked with the U.S. Capitol Police and their uniform provider to replace the Guides’ metal badges with a new patch featuring the Capitol Dome in blue with “U.S. Capitol Guide Service” in embroidered letters and highlighting 1876 as the founding year. Though different in style, the patch worn today by the Capitol Visitor Center staff pays a small tribute to some of the earlier designs.
The Bicentennial
The nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976 brought changes to the Capitol and the Capitol tour.
The U.S. Senate restored the historic Old Supreme Court and Old Senate Chambers to their 19th century appearance and opened them to the public. National Statuary Hall, formerly the Hall of the House of Representatives, was partially restored to its 19th century appearance. Congress requested that Guides be stationed inside of these rooms for interpretation and assistance. Former Guide Marc recalled being awestruck while posted inside these restored, historic spaces “imagining the history…right there (in front of you) coming to life.” Visitor Guides still share the history of these spaces today with visitors in these rooms.
Guide Spotlight
Visitor Guide Adriane’s first memories of the Capitol were with her father, a Capitol Police officer. Her dream of being a Capitol Guide came true in 1986.
“It's been even better than I ever imagined that it could be.”
Adriane retired from the Capitol Visitor Center in 2025 with 37 years of service to the Capitol and Congress. “I would hope that people will remember that I gave it my all. I want to leave people with the memory of she: She told the stories of the building. She brought the history to life. She, for young people, inspired them to learn more, to go out, to read. I hope that with each of my groups that I leave them with something that they will remember.
Visitor Guide Maryellen began her career at the Capitol not as a guide but as a Congressional intern. Working at the Capitol was a family tradition: her father served as a Capitol Police officer and then worked for the U.S. Botanic Garden. Since Maryellen became a Guide in 1979, she has served Congress and countless visitors from around the world.
When asked about her role as a Guide in the Capitol, Maryellen shared: “I'm a tour Guide, but I'm a storyteller…Every day I get to represent my country to people from around the world and America. (I get) to remind students that history is not just dates and people and places, but it is the story.”
Maryellen continues to serve as a Visitor Guide and is prominently featured in the Capitol Visitor Center’s Know Before You Go video.
