Special Cherry Blossom Event:
Historian-led Capitol Grounds Tour & Cocktail Mixer
Date & Time: Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 PM ET
Location: U.S. Capitol Grounds
$50.00/person
| Celebrate the cherry blossom season with an historic tour of the Capitol Grounds, led by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's historically trained tour guides. Discover the history of the U.S. Capitol’s first landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom trees. After the tour, join us for a mixer to mingle and enjoy refreshments inspired by the season. | |
SCHEDULE
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Cherry Blossom Capitol Walking Tour Begins
7:00 PM - til
Cherry Blossom Cocktail Mixer DC Begins
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About
Step into Washington, D.C.'s enchanting springtime splendor with our exclusive Capitol Grounds walking tour during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Led by the esteemed guides of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, journey through the stunning landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – the Father of Landscape Architecture.
Marvel at Olmsted's meticulous design while immersing yourself in the beauty of cherry blossoms. Experience the magic of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. as over 100 cherry trees adorn Lower Senate Park, creating an unforgettable spectacle.
Join us for an extraordinary celebration where Olmsted's legacy meets the timeless allure of cherry blossoms. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or seeking a moment of tranquility, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.
After your Cherry Blossom guided tour, join us for a delightful Cherry Blossom Mixer included in your ticket price! Immediately following the tour, enjoy season-inspired refreshments amidst the pink paradise.
Experience Olmsted's vision during Cherry Blossom season in Washington, D.C. with us. Wearing pink is optional but greatly encouraged!
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Happy Women's History Month! This March, as we honor the incredible contributions and achievements of women throughout history, we invite you to join us in celebrating by watching the Society's videos and engaging with our resources about women's history. | |
Women in the Capitol
Celebrate Women's History Month with the latest volume of The Capitol Dome magazine! Explore the pioneering achievements of sculptor Elisabet Ney and the inspiring story behind the Portrait Monument to the women's suffrage movement. This volume sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in shaping history, art, and democracy.
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Watch Our Women's History Videos | | |
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2020 Symposium:
100 Years of Women Voting
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Honoring the Women of National Statuary Hall
On March 29, 2023, the Society hosted a program to honor the statues of women in the Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection. Dr. Michele Cohen, the Curator of the Architect of the Capitol, presented the history of women's representation in the Capitol. We invite you to watch C-SPAN's recording of Dr. Cohen's insightful presentation to celebrate the Women of the National Statuary Hall Collection.
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Interpreting Divisive Historic Monuments
with Celebrity Historian Raffi Andonian
(Webinar) Thursday, April 4th, from 12 pm to 1 pm ET
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Join us for a thought-provoking webinar with Celebrity Historian Raffi Andonian as we explore the controversial history of Confederate monuments in the United States and why they remain contentious today.
Debates surrounding Confederate monuments often raise fundamental questions about our national identity, what values we prioritize, and which historical figures we choose to honor. These monuments represent a particular interpretation of history, often symbolizing complex and painful aspects of our nation's past, including racism, inequality, and the legacy of the Civil War and slavery.
By examining these monuments and the debates surrounding them, Raffi will offer guidance to provide an open-ended framework for understanding and evaluating historic sites, figures, and symbols. This approach allows for a nuanced discussion of our nation's past, encouraging an informed dialogue about the significance of these monuments and what they represent to us.
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Raffi Andonian is TV’s “Celebrity Historian” with 100+ guest appearances on ABC-CBS-FOX-NBC stations across the country. He is also the author of three history books, including Creating Space for Conflicted Histories, an Amazon best-seller. He is the producer and host of an AppleTV show, Clio The Muse, which encourages viewers to “challenge the present by inquiring the past.”
Raffi has spoken at Oxford, Cambridge, NASDAQ, humanities councils, and universities across the country. He also teaches at the college level at Harris Stowe State University (HBCU) and for the public through the North Dakota Humanities Council. Raffi began his career at the Gettysburg battlefield, Richmond Civil War sites, the Martin Luther King childhood home, and Los Alamos, NM, where the atomic bomb was created. Today, he leads private tours and an employee engagement program. He serves as President of the St. George Tucker Society, an academic association for the study of the U.S. South.
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Exploring the 17th Amendment:
The Journey to Direct Senate Elections
*NEW DATE*
(Webinar) Thursday, April 11th, from 12 pm to 1 pm ET
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Join us for our upcoming webinar on the 17th Amendment as part of our ongoing Constitutional Amendment Series. We are honored to have Dr. Katherine A. Scott from the U.S. Senate Historical Office lead our webinar on the 17th Amendment and its critical role in transforming American democracy and governance. | |
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Ratified on April 8, 1913, the 17th Amendment represents a significant shift from the framers' original vision of a state legislature-elected Senate to one directly elected by the people. The direct election of senators corrected significant flaws in the political system, making the Senate more responsive, representative, and less susceptible to legislative stalemates, corruption, and special interests. The 17th Amendment not only made the Senate more democratic but also reflects the Constitution's dynamic nature in adapting to society's needs and demands.
Dr. Scott will detail the Amendment's journey, its immediate and enduring effects on American electoral politics, and its role in reshaping the dynamics between state and federal powers.
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Dr. Katherine Scott is the U.S. Senate Historian. She joined the Senate Historical Office in 2010 after receiving her Ph.D. in American political history from Temple University. Scott conducts research, writes content, and develops customized talks and tours for senators, staff, and special Senate guests. She is currently editing the executive sessions of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 1969-1975, and conducting oral histories with long-serving Senate staff to document change in the institution over time. She is the author of Reining in the State: Civil Society and Congress in the Vietnam and Watergate Eras (2013), as well as articles, essays, and chapters related to U.S. political history.
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Sedition Hunters:
How January 6th Broke the Justice System
| Watch our recent webinar featuring author and NBC reporter Ryan Reilly where we discussed his latest book, "Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System," a compelling exploration into the unprecedented events that unfolded on January 6th, 2021. Reilly provides insights into the complex dynamics at play in the aftermath of that day and the ongoing challenges to the American justice system. | |
In this book, Ryan Reilly gets to know would-be revolutionaries, obsessive online sleuths, and FBI agents and shines a light on a justice system straining to maintain order in our polarized country.
Ryan J. Reilly is a Justice reporter for NBC News. Previously, he was the senior justice reporter for HuffPost, where he covered the Justice Department and the FBI for more than a decade.
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The CIA, FBI, Mafia, & the Kennedys:
Senator Frank Church's Fight to Save Democracy
| Watch our webinar featuring journalist Thomas Risen and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter James Risen, co-authors of "The Last Honest Man: The CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys―and One Senator's Fight to Save Democracy." | Drawing upon hundreds of interviews, thousands of pages of recently declassified documents, and reams of unpublished letters, notes, and memoirs, some of which remain sensitive today, "The Last Honest Man" tells the gripping, untold story of truth and integrity standing against unchecked power—and winning.” Together, we explored Senator Frank Church’s courageous stand against abuses of power by the CIA, FBI, Mafia, and the Kennedys. | | |
Local educator one of sixteen chosen to attend civics workshop in Ohio | |
FARMINGTON – Senator Susan Collins recently nominated Lance Harvell of Farmington to be one of only sixteen middle school civics educators invited to attend an upcoming workshop at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum in Fremont, Ohio, later this month. The workshop is being presented by the United States Capitol Historical Society (USCHS). The focus will be on The Electoral College.
Regarding his nomination, Harvell stated, “I am honored to be nominated and I hope to bring back some new strategies for the classroom.”
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The Morrill Family Established the
James Agrippa Morrill Memorial Fund to Support We the People Constitution Program
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We are delighted to share that the Morrill family established the James Agrippa Morrill Memorial Fund in honor of our devoted volunteer, Jim Morrill. The Morrill family's annual fund will directly support the Society's civic education work, including the We the People Constitution Program, allowing us to expand our educational outreach and impact. Thanks to their generosity, students in Washington, D.C., will have the opportunity to engage in an immersive learning experience centered around the Constitution.
Our We the People Constitution Tours provide D.C. middle school students with a comprehensive and engaging educational experience, promoting civic awareness and encouraging active participation in the democratic process. The James Agrippa Morrill Memorial Fund will enable us to enhance the program's impact, ensuring that Jim Morrill's dedication to civic education and community engagement lives on.
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Get Involved: Engage with USCHS Programs | |
Featured Resources for Every Classroom
Explore our "We the People" Hub for free lesson plans, classroom activities, primary source analysis, and more! These foundational resources are crucial for understanding the U.S. Constitution and the three branches of government, making them essential for any civics curriculum.
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U.S. Capitol History Tours | Discover the Capitol building, where pivotal moments in American history have unfolded, with our exclusive historian-led tours, available only to members. Our dedicated volunteer guides offer an insider's perspective on this iconic landmark, inspiring you to delve deeper into the rich history of our nation. | | |
Revisit Our Recent History Webinars | |
Missed one of our webinars? No worries! Simply head over to our YouTube channel, where we have recordings of each webinar readily available for your enjoyment.
Join our live webinars for the opportunity to participate in dynamic Q&A sessions with our speakers.
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How You Can Help
Your support is vital in promoting informed citizenship and preserving our history. Whether you join the Society as an annual Member or make a tax-deductible donation, your contribution makes a lasting impact. Discover ways to maximize your support for the Society now!
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Share our mission with your network
Help us reach more people who believe in empowering our youth. The more people know about our work, the greater our impact can be. Follow us on social media, forward this newsletter, and encourage teachers to incorporate our resources into their curriculums.
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Discover the heart of American history with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society! Founded in 1962, our mission is to inspire informed patriotism by educating you about the Capitol and the people who work there. | |
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