Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the United States Capitol Dome Drawings

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1010
Creators:
Walter, Thomas Ustick, 1804-1887
Dates:
1855-1862
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
The collection consists of 146 salt-paper prints (structural and decorative details) of the United States Capitol Dome, between 1855 and 1862. Dimensions range from 6 ¾" x 9 ½" to 17 1/8" x 10".

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection is comprised of 146 salt print photographic copies of original drawings of the United States Capitol dome. Salt print paper was the first and most common photo paper between 1839 and 1860. The prints document both structural and decorative details of the dome. The prints are arranged in chronological order.

Arrangement

Arrangement
This collection is arranged into one series.
Series 1, United States Capitol Dome Drawings, 1855-1862

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The United State Capitol dome is situated above the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The Capitol dome was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter (1804-1887), the fourth Architect of the Capitol. Walter was responsible for adding the north (Senate) and south (House) wings and the central dome of the Capitol from 1854 to 1866. The original dome, built in 1824, was made of wood. It was considered a fire hazard and was not big enough to complement the Capitol building's growing size.[1]
[1] http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/dome.cfm (accessed on April 9, 2010)

Administration

Author
Kendra Ciccone
Custodial History
Transferred in 2007 to the Archives Center from the Division of Work and Industry (formerly the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased in 1984 by the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, National Museum of American History (then called the National Museum of History and Technology), from Walter Grossman.
Processing Information
Kendra Ciccone (intern), April, 2010; supervised by Alison Oswald, archivist.
Existence and Location of Originals
The original drawings exist in the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. See: http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/dome.cfm.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
United States Capitol Dome Drawings, dates, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Salted paper prints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Copy photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Domes Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Architecture -- Washington (D.C.) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States Capitol (Washington, D.C.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu