Capitol Dome Tour
Jenny and I were fortunate enough to have a tour of the Capitol dome. With the possible exception of the White House, it’s the best tour I’ve had in Washington so far. Just for reference, here are a couple of photos from ground level:
From the south side of the rotunda.
The Statue of Freedom stands on the tholos. We would get all the way to the top just under the columns.
About halfway to the top.
Coffers on the dome
The other side of the coffers. Some of them can be opened for ventilation. Thanks to modern conveniences like air conditioning, they’re not opened anymore.
There’s a balcony just under and around the circumference of the Apotheosis of Washington. It’s unbelievable how big it is (just over 4000 square feet).
Minerva teaching Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, and Samuel Morse.
In the center is Neptune laying the transatlantic telegraph cable. To the left is Mercury giving a bag of gold to Robert Morris, known as “financier of the Revolution.” To the right is Minerva.
Freedom (the same from the Statue of Freedom) fending off tyranny and kingly power.
Another view of Minerva, Freedom, and Ceres sitting on a McCormick mechanical reaper.
George Washington sitting between Liberty and Victory surrounded by 13 maidens symbolizing the original colonies.
A closer shot of Washington.
Yet another closer shot of the deified president.
The Cannon House Office Building is where I spend most of my time.
Looking west from the top of the Capitol.
Looking east from the top of the Capitol.
The United States Botanic Garden.
Union Station.
The Library of Congress.
The tholos.
Another view of the tholos.
The Supreme Court of the United States.
We noticed a motorcade arriving while we were enjoying the view.
The Jansons with the the Washington Monument behind them.
The Jansons with the Library of Congress and Supreme Court behind them.
Safely back on the ground on the south east side of the Capitol.