Section I: Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Our History

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has origins rooted in the very beginnings of our nation. In 1791, during his first term of office, President George Washington appointed a Board of Commissioners to design suitable buildings to accommodate Congress. The Commissioners staged a competition for the design of the U.S. Capitol and selected Dr. William Thornton’s entry. In 1793, construction of the U.S. Capitol began when President Washington ceremoniously laid the building’s cornerstone. The AOC’s origins are connected to this notable event.

In 1802, Congress consolidated the duties of the Board of Commissioners and placed the care of the U.S. Capitol—which at the time housed not only the Congress but also

Photo Caption: TOP: AOC is responsible for maintaining the historic buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. BOTTOM LEFT: This fiscal year, AOC restored two historic 19th century bronze fountain basins designed under the guidance of Frederick Law Olmsted.