United States Capitol crypt

The crypt originated with the initial designs drawn up for the United States Capitol by William Thornton, which called for a rotunda to be placed between the two wings of the building.

Construction on the Capitol itself began in 1793, when the first American President, George Washington, laid down the cornerstone to the north wing of the building.

In August 1814, the British captured the city of Washington and set fire to the Capitol, nearly destroying the entire building.

[2] A marble compass was set into the floor of the chamber to mark the point where the four quadrants of the District of Columbia meet.

They are: The bronze statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee from Virginia (by Edward V. Valentine, 1934) was removed on 21 December 2020.