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

Edition for Educators—Firsts for Women in Congress

by History on March 30, 2015

Patsy Mink
In 1965, Patsy Mink became the first woman of color elected to Congress. An advocate for equal rights as well as many other women’s issues, one of her greatest accomplishments was the passage of the Women’s Education Equality Act, as part of a comprehensive education bill, in 1974. Learn more about Mink and other firsts for women in Congress.

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Categories: Minorities in Congress, Firsts & Milestones, Oral History, Education

To Be a Gallery God

by Art on March 24, 2015

“To be a gallery god in the House of Representatives is to have a free seat at a unique performance.” So said one newspaper, and for two centuries Americans have agreed, with gusto. The House Collection contains some of the oldest (and newest) varieties of gallery tickets, from scribbled passes to high-tech printed ones.

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Categories: House Chamber, Art & Artifacts

Topping Uncle Joe

by Archives on March 16, 2015

Joseph Cannon in his topper
Just an accessory? Maybe not. At a time when men’s hats spoke volumes about their personalities and status, Speaker Joseph Cannon’s headwear, including slouch hats, straw hats, and an “ancient woolly topper,” proved a potent symbol of his iron power, strong personality, and folksy manner.

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Categories: Photography, People, Art & Artifacts

Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage “Like Going to Normandy with Dwight Eisenhower”

by History on March 3, 2015

Annual Selma Pilgrimmage
Rarely do we visit a historic site with someone who helped to make history there. But this weekend, more than 60 Members of Congress will travel to Alabama with Selma veteran and Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. The Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage will commemorate the 50th anniversaries of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches which spurred passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The pilgrimage is an important congressional tradition and one the Office of the Historian chronicles through its civil rights oral history project.

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Categories: Minorities in Congress, Oral History, 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