At the opening ceremony on December 2, 2008, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that visitors to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. could now enjoy and appreciate amenities that prior visitors could only imagine.
Historic Capitol Tour
Before now, guests were limited to a free single guided tour of the historic Capitol building. The lines outdoors were long and tedious, and once in the Legislative chambers the Senators and Representatives could "...literally smell the visitors coming...," laughingly remarked Harry Reid at the opening ceremony.
Innovations & New Insights to American Legislative History
Once the US Capitol Visitor Center's doors opened to the public, tour reservations would eliminate those long lines to tour the historic Capitol building, following an informative 13 minute film in the new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Other new free additions in the Visitor Center make it a worthwhile attraction in its own right, such as an exhibition hall with permanent and rotating exhibits, plus many restrooms. Also a large restaurant and two souvenir shops are on-site.
1857 Original Statue of Freedom
The original plaster model for the Statue of Freedom, made in 1857, was placed strategically as center focus in Emancipation Hall. Awesome and breathtaking do not begin to describe this figure. The U.S. Poet Laureate Dr. Rita Dove wrote a most inspirational poem about this grand sculpture, titled: “Lady Freedom Among Us.”
Lady Freedom . . . "is each of us"
Dr. Dove first shared the poem aloud in 1993, at the historic Capitol when the Statue of Freedom was returned to the top of the Capitol dome after refurbishing. She shared it again at the opening ceremony of the new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, standing next to the original plaster model in Emancipation Hall. As Dr. Rita Dove so eloquently stated in her “Lady Freedom Among Us” poem: “... she is one of the many and she is each of us.”
Discover the historic opening ceremony's commentary on the Visitor Center's green construction, how Emancipation Hall got its name and more, at this insightful Suite101 author/article:
- "Public View of Visitor Center Opening: Front Row Seat," by Lynn Pritchett
Capitol Visitor Center Information:
- Location - East front at First Street and East Capitol Street, NE., Washington, D.C.
- Hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day.
- Ticketing and Admission - free and no ticket required. However, tickets required for tours of historic Capitol and may be for special events. Security screening required.
- Historic Capitol Tours - advanced reservations are suggested (see below) LIMITED # of Same-Day Capitol Tour Passes available for walk-in visitors.
- Prohibited Items - Restrictions apply and security screenings are required. Before arrival, refer to the website or telephone number noted below.
Reservation Information for Historic Capitol Tours:
- Tickets Required - Reservation Suggested:
- Online at the Capitol Visitor Center website, or
- If no access to internet:
- Call Senator or Representatives’ offices, or
- Call Capitol Visitor Services, at 202-226-8000
Lynn Pritchett - Lynn lives in Arizona with her husband and is caretaker for a few pets left behind by their two grown daughters.
