Library Of Congress- Washington, D.C.
For bibliophiles and architecture fans alike, there are few greater places in the world than a grand old library. Although they come in all shapes and sizes, few are more impressive than the Library of Congress. Built at the height of the Gilded Age, using the finest materials available, the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building is without a doubt one of the most spectacular structures in the United States. A temple of knowledge, its timeless beauty inspires all who enter its elaborate doors.
Founded in 1800, with a small appropriation to purchase reference books, the original Library of Congress collection was housed in the U.S. Capitol building itself. Sadly, in 1814, the fledgling collection was destroyed by the British, along with the Capitol and the White House, during the War of 1812. Fortunately, Thomas Jefferson, who owned the largest personal collection of books in the United States, reached out to Congress, and offered his entire library as a replacement for the burned books; the 6487 volume collection was purchased in 1815, for $23,950. Unfortunately, two thirds of this collection was destroyed in 1851, again by fire. The remaining books are currently on display in the Jefferson Building’s Southwest Pavilion.
The library remained in the Capitol building until 1897; by that time, despite several expansions, it had outgrown the space. Although architects John Smithmeyer and Paul Pelz won a design competition for the library in 1873, construction was delayed by congressional debates until 1886. While Smithmeyer is credited with securing the commission, and Pelz with the building design, both were dismissed by 1892, replaced by Edward Pearce Casey. It is Casey who oversaw the construction of the building’s elaborate interior, often considered the finest collection of work by American sculptors and painters in the United States. The final cost was almost $6.5 million dollars, several hundred thousand dollars less than the original estimate.
Built in the Beaux-Arts style, and modeled after Paris’ Palais Garnier, the building is absolutely breathtaking. Fifteen different varieties of marble, 400,000 cubic feet of granite, as well as gold, bronze and mahogany were used to construct the library. More than fifty American painters and sculptors worked on the interior, producing a body of classical artwork that rivals anything you will find in Europe. On the first floor, a grand open hall flanked by sweeping staircases; overhead, a spectacular ceiling. Upstairs, graceful arches are everywhere; it is almost hard to focus, as the grandeur unfolds in front of you.
Along the perimeter of the Great Hall ceiling, the names of ten authors considered to have made the greatest contributions to literature, including Dante, Homer, Goethe, Shakespeare and Moliere. At each corner, two winged figures of genius, depicted with a torch and a book, symbols of knowledge. Above, six decorative stained glass skylights.
Upstairs, along the second floor balcony, the vaulted ceiling is covered with a collection of colorful murals; highlights include MacKay’s Life of Man, Benson’s Three Graces, and Reid’s depiction of the five senses. It is a stunning space, where the vivid murals stand in sharp contrast to the muted marble columns.
Inside the octagonal Main Reading Room, the elaborate artwork continues. Under the coffered dome designed by sculptor Albert Weinert, eight large statues circle the room. Representing the eight categories of knowledge, including Philosophy, Art, History, and Science, they are considered symbolic of civilized life and thought. Along the balustrade, sixteen bronze statues represent men renowned for their accomplishments, including Plato, Columbus, Newton and Shakespeare. Within the stained glass panes, the seals of 48 states, centered around the Great Seal of the United States.
The outside of the Jefferson Building may not be as ornate, but it is no less impressive. Facing the Capitol Building, the substantial granite starts heavily rusticated at the lowest level, but grows finer and smoother as it approaches the roof. A gracious split staircase leads to three pairs of sculpted bronze doors. Nestled beneath the stairs, at street level, Roland Hinton Perry’s The Court of Neptune Fountain, inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Even for those who don’t love books or great architecture, it is an inspiring, interesting building. It is absolutely a National Treasure, and is still the showcase it was intended to be. It is also insanely busy, with every schoolchild in the nation visiting, seemingly all at once. To avoid the crowds, arrive just as it opens, or right before it closes. If the security line is long, you should probably just return at a later time. It won’t be any better inside. If you are also visiting the Capitol, there is a direct tunnel from the visitor’s center to the Library, which involves only going through security once.
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