U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center to Open Dec. 2nd
After 8 years of construction, the much anticipated, costly ($600+ million) and highly needed U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center is scheduled to open on December 2, 2008. The grand opening date is exactly 145 years to the day, after the placing of the statute, the Statute of Freedom, was placed on the top of the completed dome in 1863.
The new 580,000 sq. ft. underground center will offer 
visitors two orientation theaters, showing a 13-minute video about the Capitol Building and American democracy. Additionally, the building hosts several gifts shops and multiple (and much needed) restroom facilities.
A few of the notable artifacts provided by the Library of Congress and National Archives to be on display include, a letter to Congress written by General George Washington, and the original Franklin Roosevelt “Day of 
Infamy” speech, the President delivered on to a joint session of Congress on the day after the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and other U.S. installations, December 8th, 1941.
Visitors can get free Capitol Building tour tickets at the center.
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
East Capitol Street at East Capitol Circle
Washington, DC 20004 (map it)
Dates and Times – Daily, except Sundays, 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tickets – Capitol Building tours are offered daily, except Sundays. The Center will be closed on Inauguration Day, and other major holidays.
Nearest Metro Subway Station – Capitol South – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk or use the DC Circulator.
Parking – Limited metered street parking is available in the area. Parking is available at Union Station, about 6 blocks away.
Images – courtesy of The Architect of the Capitol
________________________________________________
Comments Off