The Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson BuildingBuilt: 1888-1897
Style: Beaux Arts
Architects: Plans by John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz, completed by Gen. Edward Pearce Casey and civil engineer Bernard R. Green
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building
When it was created in 1800, the Library of Congress was a legislative library located in the Capitol Building. The book collection was destroyed twice: during the British attack in 1814 and during a disastrous fire in 1851. Nevertheless, the collection became so large that Congress decided to construct a separate building. Today, the Library of Congress is a complex of buildings with more books and shelf space than any other library in the world.
Made of marble, granite, iron, and bronze, the Thomas Jefferson Building was modeled after the Beaux Arts Paris Opera House in France. More than 40 artists created the statues, relief sculptures, and murals. The Library of Congress dome is plated with 23-carat gold.
The Thomas Jefferson Building is named after America's third president, who had donated his personal book collection at nominal cost. Today, the Library of Congress is America's national library and the largest book collection in the world. Two additional buildings, the John Adams and the James Madison Buildings, were added to accommodate the Library’s collection.
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