The Library of Congress

The Library's ornate first building of 1897, across from the Capitol.

History

The Library of Congress moved out of the Capitol into its own building in 1897. Designed by Smithmeyer & Pelz and finished under Edward Pearce Casey, it was decorated inside by American painters and sculptors, and its gilded dome and the Court of Neptune fountain on First Street made it an instant sight. These are the photographs of a library that was also one of the city’s tourist attractions.

What's there now

Now called the Thomas Jefferson Building, it is the oldest of the Library’s three buildings on Capitol Hill and is open to visitors. The Library’s collections include the negatives of almost every photograph on this site.

Then and now

Outwardly very little has changed, though the dome no longer has its original gilding; the street in front is busier with cars and security barriers than in these pictures.

Photographs 9, oldest first

A domed building at the end of a broad lawn — c. 1900 The Library of Congress from the Capitol grounds, about 1900.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-13010 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A bronze fountain of Neptune and sea creatures against a stone wall — c. 1900 The Court of Neptune fountain in front of the Library of Congress, about 1900.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-13012 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A grand marble hall with arched galleries, a staircase and a patterned floor — c. 1900–01 The marble Great Hall of the Library of Congress, its arches and staircases seen from above, around 1900.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-5925 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Elevated view of the domed Library of Congress behind trees and a curving drive — c. 1901–06 The Library of Congress from above its tree-filled approaches, the gilded dome crowning the building, early 1900s.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-13249 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A bronze rider on a rearing sea-horse in a fountain before a stone grotto — c. 1910–20 Neptune's Fountain in front of the Library of Congress, water playing over the bronze sea-horses and their riders.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-73128 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view of a domed library and tree-lined streets — c. 1921 The Library of Congress seen from the Capitol dome, about 1921.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 14244 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view of a domed building with a large square plan — c. 1921–22 The Library of Congress from the air, about 1921, with Capitol Hill's rowhouses behind.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 8109 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A domed building framed by columns — 1923 The Library of Congress seen between the Capitol's columns, 1923.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 22128 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Nearby: The Capitol · Union Station · The Mall · Center Market · Downtown and F Street