United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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What's in the Capitol?

Statuary Hall

The House met in historic Statuary Hall for 50 turbulent years. Until 1857, Representatives debated the most important issues in American history here: slavery, trade, statehood, and more. After the House moved to its new quarters, the room became National Statuary Hall, a grand gallery of sculpture that honors exemplary citizens from every state. Travel back in time to when Statuary Hall operated as the Old House Chamber, then jump ahead to the present to view the rich collection of state statues that surround the room today.

Old Hall of the House: 1819–1857

Old Hall of the House: 1819–1857

The Old Hall of the House was redesigned by Benjamin Henry Latrobe and completed by Charles Bulfinch between 1815 and 1819. It is an early example of Greek revival architecture in America. Latrobe adopted the concept of an ancient amphitheater for the new legislative chamber.

Becoming Statuary Hall: 1857–Present

Becoming Statuary Hall: 1857–Present

After the completion of the House wing of the Capitol in 1857, the old, vacant Chamber became both a thoroughfare between the Rotunda and the House wing and a disorganized storage space. On April 19, 1864, Representative Justin S. Morrill proposed a new purpose for the room.





Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov