The Capitol Visitor Center is open. Due to a special event, some areas (including the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall) are unavailable.

A classic souvenir for any tourist is a postcard, and the Capitol is one of the most popular subjects for tourists visiting Washington, D.C. Learn about the history of this popular souvenir and how Americans considered their Capitol as they toured it.

In the late 1850s, Congress approved an extension of the Capitol Building to accommodate the growing size of the country, but of course it wasn’t a smooth process. Learn about the long and winding path to build the current chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Located on the northwest side of the Capitol, the Summerhouse was part of Frederick Law Olmsted’s plan for the Capitol Grounds. Learn about the design of this unique structure.

Learn about the life and legacy of longtime Senator Robert LaFollette Sr., sent as a statue by the state of Wisconsin.

Not only is 2026 the 250th birthday of the United States, but it is also the 150th birthday of the U.S. Capitol Guide Service! Learn about the origins of the Capitol Guides and how visiting the Capitol Building has changed over the last 150 years.

Learn about the various ways communities across America marked the Bicentennial. No reservations necessary. Please join us!

Learn about the emerging interstate highway system and popularization of automobiles in 1926. No reservations necessary. Please join us!

Take a closer look at Arba the eagle puppet that tells the story of America in 1976. No reservations necessary. Please join us!

Take a closer look at a poster that tells the story of America in 1926. No reservations necessary. Please join us!