Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Additional Online Media

Catalog Data

Creator:
Walter, Thomas Ustick, 1804-1887  Search this
Collector:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology  Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering  Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry  Search this
Names:
United States Capitol (Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Extent:
0.3 Cubic feet ( 1 box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Salted paper prints
Copy photographs
Date:
1855-1862
Summary:
The collection consists of 146 salt-paper prints (structural and decorative details) of the United States Capitol Dome, between 1855 and 1862. Dimensions range from 6 ¾" x 9 ½" to 17 1/8" x 10".
Scope and Contents:
The collection is comprised of 146 salt print photographic copies of original drawings of the United States Capitol dome. Salt print paper was the first and most common photo paper between 1839 and 1860. The prints document both structural and decorative details of the dome. The prints are arranged in chronological order.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into one series. Series 1, United States Capitol Dome Drawings, 1855-1862
Biographical / Historical:
The United State Capitol dome is situated above the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The Capitol dome was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter (1804-1887), the fourth Architect of the Capitol. Walter was responsible for adding the north (Senate) and south (House) wings and the central dome of the Capitol from 1854 to 1866. The original dome, built in 1824, was made of wood. It was considered a fire hazard and was not big enough to complement the Capitol building's growing size.[1] [1] http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/dome.cfm (accessed on April 9, 2010)
Provenance:
This collection was purchased in 1984 by the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, National Museum of American History (then called the National Museum of History and Technology), from Walter Grossman.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Domes  Search this
Architecture -- Washington (D.C.)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Salted paper prints
Copy photographs
Citation:
United States Capitol Dome Drawings, dates, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1010
See more items in:
United States Capitol Dome Drawings
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85ee8404a-c24d-40e9-8788-1434c8692044
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1010