Architect of the Capitol no topic Update

USCapitol posted a photo:

One remarkable feature of the Dome in 1847 was the sight of Crutchett’s Lantern. Rising 92 feet on a mast over the Dome, the 200 foot by 6 foot glass and gilded iron lantern included reflectors that threw light into the Rotunda at night and could be seen miles away. James Crutchett built the light at his own expense (an advertisement for his gas business). Each night a workman had to climb an eight-inch wide ladder to the top and light it. After safety and cost concerns for operating the light grew, work began to remove it after less than a year in place.

USCapitol posted a photo:

On February 21, 1848, Adams was at his seat in the House Chamber when he voted a loud "no" to a resolution giving thanks to several generals for their service in the Mexican War. A few minutes later he collapsed. Adams was taken into the Rotunda and placed on a sofa in front of the east door in the hope that fresh air would revive him. Seeing no improvement, however, Adams was next taken into the speaker's office where he died two days later. His funeral was held in the House Chamber. One of the honorary pallbearers was a freshman congressman from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln. Print by Currier & Ives.

USCapitol posted a photo:

The 1862 image above by artist Edward Sache portrays a romanticized view of Washington, D.C. It envisions a completed green Capitol Dome. However, the Dome was never any color other than white. The bottom image shows a completed Dome in 1865 with flags at half staff for the death of Abraham Lincoln.

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