Note: Featured image was downloaded from Flickr

The oldest of the three United States Library of Congress buildings, the Thomas Jefferson Building was built between 1890 and 1897. It was originally known as the Library of Congress Building and is located on First Street SE, between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street in Washington, D.C. The Beaux-Arts style building is known for its classicizing facade and elaborately decorated interior. Its design and construction has a tortuous history; the building’s main architect was Paul J. Pelz, initially in partnership with John L. Smithmeyer, and succeeded by Edward Pearce Casey during the last few years of construction. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. (From Wikipedia)

With so many museums and landmarks, such as Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, Washington Monument, White House, Capitol Building, etc. in DC to visit, Library of Congress is almost like a hidden treasure that many visitors missed entirely. If you ever visit the U.S. Capitol next time, you could easily take an underground tunnel to the Thomas Jefferson Building in less than 10 minute walk. Two years ago when my daughter family from Wichita, Kansas visited us we took them over there and they fully enjoyed the tour including their teenage daughter and pre-teenage son and claimed it was the most beautiful and decorated architecture they have ever seen.

The dome of Main Reading Room:

The Main Reading Room:

Link:  https://loc.gov/