DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING INSIDE FULL
DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING INSIDE TRIAL

Of special architectural interest is the rotunda. Originally there were 98 suites and eight committee rooms in the Russell Building the First Street Wing, completed in 1933, added two committee rooms and 28 suites. Both are connected to the Capitol by underground passages. Modern for their time, they included such facilities as forced-air ventilation systems, steam heat, individual lavatories with hot and cold running water and ice water, telephones, and electricity. Both buildings are faced with marble and limestone the Russell Building's base and terrace are gray granite. The colonnades, with 34 Doric columns that face the Capitol, are echoed by pilasters on the sides of the buildings. side is a quasi replica of the easternmost façade of the Palais du Louvre in Paris. Architecturally, their elevations are divided into a rusticated base and a colonnade with an entablature and balustrade. Their Beaux Arts designs were restrained complements to the Capitol. John Carrère took charge of the Senate Office Building project, while Thomas Hastings oversaw the construction of an almost identical office building (now named the Cannon House Office Building) for the United States House of Representatives. In April 1904, the prominent New York City architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings was retained. In March 1903 the acquisition of sites and construction of the buildings were authorized, and the Senate Office Building Commission selected a site. In March 1901 Congress authorized Architect of the Capitol Edward Clark to draw plans for fireproof office buildings adjacent to the Capitol grounds. Previously, members who wanted office space had to rent quarters or borrow space in committee rooms. The first congressional office building was constructed immediately after the turn of the 20th century to relieve overcrowding in the United States Capitol. It occupies a site north of the Capitol bounded by Constitution Avenue, First Street, Delaware Avenue, and C Street N.E. It was named for former Senator Richard Russell Jr. Designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, it was built from 1903 to 1908 and opened in 1909. Next, check out the original Commissioners’ Map for the New York City street grid, located in the Library of Congress and discover the secrets of the NYC subway system.The Russell Senate Office Building is the oldest of the United States Senate office buildings.

DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING INSIDE FULL

is full of history, unexpected turns and former systems, of which the United States Capitol Subway system is just one of many discoveries.

DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING INSIDE TRIAL

Capitol and while there is no subway here, it has an interesting, but unverified history, an anonymous reader has told us: “It was supposedly to be a subway (the raised walkway with the railing was to be the walkway), but the two cars scraped each other during their trial run and were abandoned.” Today, the walkway showcases the high school artwork of the annual Congressional Art Competition, which has recognized and encouraged artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district since 1982. In addition, a walkway known as the Cannon Tunnel connects the Cannon House Office Building with the U.S. Like the Dirksen Hart subway line, the subway tunnel contains flags and seals from the 50 states. Capitol Building, although press photography is less encouraged there. On the House of Representatives side, a similar subway system connects the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building to the basement of U.S. There is also an overhaul shop next to the terminus at the Hart Senate Office building:Įn route to the subway terminus on the Senate side, you will also see great vintage signage and old subway call buttons: Monorail from Senate to Dirksen and Hart buildingsĪ walkway for pedestrians is on the side of the tracks, beneath the flags of each state of the United States:Īt the Dirksen Senate Office Building, the platform is in the center of the tracks:

The subway line to Dirksen, featuring automated enclosed monorails with three cars each, also extends further to the Hart Senate Office Building. The original tunnel was filled in, converted to office and storage space.

One major change from the 20th century system is the path which the Russell subway line takes. When the system was extended to the Dirksen Senate Office Building, a new tunnel and rail system was built so that both lines could begin from the same place underneath the Senate. The trains run back and forth along the same track Terminus on the Russell Senate Office Building side.

Dirksen senate office building inside