United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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History, Art & Archives of the U.S. House of Representatives

“Headquarters of Tobacco-Tinctured Saliva”

by Art on February 28, 2013

For generations, chewing tobacco was immensely popular in the House of Representatives. Members of Congress chewed with gusto, and spat tobacco juice with equal enthusiasm. Receptacles for tobacco spittle—spittoons—were a common sight in the Capitol from at least the 1830s.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts

Discovering a Page’s Place in the “Second American Revolution”

by History on February 21, 2013

During the Reconstruction Era, African Americans gained elective office and the U.S. House of Representatives was forever changed. Americans know the narrative that describes Reconstruction as the “Second American Revolution”—one in which basic political and citizenship rights were conferred upon freed slaves (at least the men). Congressional Reconstruction imposed in the South also changed the face of the membership of the House. Until recently, however, we knew very little about the changes that Reconstruction wrought at the staff level in the House.

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Categories: House Pages, Firsts & Milestones, Records & Research, Oral History, Minorities in Congress

“As Large as Life”: Lafayette's Portrait

by Art on February 13, 2013

What becomes a military legend most? For the Marquis de Lafayette, dashing hero of the American Revolution, the portrait now in the House Chamber was just the thing. Arriving from France in 1824, it was a huge hit across the nation. Becoming the most famous image of Lafayette during his wide-ranging tour of the United States that same year, the portrait appeared on posters, memorabilia, and even on currency.

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Categories: Art & Artifacts, House Chamber, Exhibitions & Publications

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