Photographs from the House Collection
From Joint Sessions of Congress to the annual Congressional Baseball Game, the history of the House has been documented through photographs. Explore a selection of the House Collection's thousands of photographs depicting significant events and individuals.
Winifred Claire Stanley
/tiles/non-collection/r/r_fc_winifred_claire_stanley_pa2011_08_0047a_hc-at.xml
A staunch advocate for women’s rights, Winifred Claire Stanley was the first Member of Congress to introduce an equal pay for equal work bill. She was also instrumental in renewing the fight for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1943, 20 years after it was first introduced in the House. Ironically, she is shown here after earning the Fashion Academy’s award for the best-dressed woman in public life.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Officials Pay Tribute to Late Speaker Byrns
/tiles/non-collection/r/r_fc_byrns_funeral_pa2011_09_0040b_hc-at.xml
Speaker Joseph Byrns is borne into the Capitol for funeral services attended by Members of Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his cabinet, the diplomatic corps, and the Supreme Court. Byrns’s sudden death on June 4, 1936, marked the first time a sitting Speaker’s funeral was held in the House Chamber.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
John F. Shelley and Speaker Sam Rayburn Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
/tiles/non-collection/s/stpatricks_2008_058_001.xml
In this 1951 photograph, California Congressman John Shelley (left) celebrates St. Patrick's Day with Speaker Sam Rayburn (right). First marked in the House in 1884 by the wearing of green ribbons in the Chamber, the tradition of honoring the Emerald Isle continued with the annual St. Patrick's Day luncheons first hosted by Speaker Tip O'Neill in the 1980s.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Members Practice for Horseshoe Tournament
/tiles/non-collection/h/horseshoes_2009_016_004.xml
Representatives Robert Green, Edward Browne, and Melville Kelly (left to right) practice for the first annual congressional horseshoe tournament held in May 1930. The victor, Congressman Fred G. Johnson, bested Albert H. Vestal and was awarded a set of silver-plated horseshoes.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Frank Mitchell With Republican Leadership
/tiles/non-collection/m/mitchell_frank_2008_273_000.xml
Frank Mitchell, the first African American appointed to the House Page Program in the modern era, is shown with Representatives Paul Findley, Leslie Arends, and Gerald Ford (left to right). Congressman Findley, who represented Mitchell's home district in Illinois, made the historic appointment.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Alice Mary Robertson Fixes Her Car
/tiles/non-collection/r/robertson_2008_011_006-1.xml
Oklahoman Alice Mary Robertson, seen here outside the Capitol Building,
was elected to the House in 1920. She served on the Indian Affairs
Committee; the Committee on Expenditures; and, as the only woman in the
House, she was appointed to the Committee on Woman’s Suffrage. Although
she was the first woman to preside over a House session, Robertson was,
ironically, also opposed to women seeking national political office.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Mr. Gassaway Prefers His Horse
/tiles/non-collection/g/gassaway_2009_066_003pq.xml
Flamboyant one-termer P.L. Gassaway was known as the "Cowboy Congressman" for his ranching background, his predilection for fighting, and, of course, his horse.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Henry Barbosa González
/tiles/non-collection/g/gonzalez_2009_164_4.xml
The longest-serving Hispanic Member of Congress, Henry González was a popular Texan. Like many Representatives, he signed and distributed photographs to constituents and congressional enthusiasts throughout his House service.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
John Phillip Hill Freed in Homebrew Trial
/tiles/non-collection/h/hill_2007_069_002.xml
Floral tributes greeted Congressman Hill after his acquittal on charges of illegally brewing hard cider in 1924.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Mother and Daughter in the House
/tiles/non-collection/l/langley_2007_212_000.xml
Working in the House was a family affair for the Langleys of Kentucky. The newly-elected Congresswoman filled a seat her husband vacated when he was convicted of violating liquor laws. She in turn hired her daughter (left) to serve as her secretary.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
McClintic's Souvenirs
/tiles/non-collection/m/mcclintic_2007_191_000pq.xml
Congressman James McClintic liked to bring home mementos of his travels, from South Pacific textiles to "Old Goldie," his prize deer head.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Weather Women of the House
/tiles/non-collection/w/weather_girls_PA2012_04_0035-1.xml
In 1947, well-dressed forecasters updated the weather map in the Speaker's Lobby, just off the House Chamber. With a glance at the enormous board, Representatives could see which way the wind was blowing back home.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Congressman Griffin's Traveling Office
/tiles/non-collection/t/traveling_office_pa2013_01_0014.xml
Recreational vehicles: they aren't just for vacations. One Representative used his both to drive between Washington and Michigan, and as a moveable office in which to meet his constituents.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Excercising on the High Seas
/tiles/non-collection/s/shipboard_2006_072_004.xml
On a trip to Panama in 1923, Representatives did calisthenics in dress shoes, under the watchful eye of the U.S.S. Henderson's crew.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Metcalfe Crosses the Tape
/tiles/non-collection/m/metcalfe_2007_255_000.xml
Long before he was a Representative, Ralph Metcalfe was an Olympic medalist. In this 1933 photograph, he leads the Marquette University track team to victory.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Flying to Dayton
/tiles/non-collection/r/rogers_2008_123_002.xml
The longest-serving woman in the House commuted via air from her earliest days in Congress in the 1920s.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Chairman Walter Ploeser
/tiles/non-collection/p/ploesser_2002_014_004.xml
To celebrate its new status as a permanent committee, in 1972 the Small Business Committee acquired formal images of all its previous chairmen, including the dapper Walter Ploeser.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
/tiles/non-collection/m/mitchell_2008_129_001.xml
During his successful campaign in the 1934 election, Arthur Mitchell posed with his wife, Annie Mitchell in their Chicago home.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;