D.C. Series Part Two: Library of Congress

As you tour the different buildings and museums in D.C., you notice that it might have all begun with the seriousness of the brothers Government and Knowledge but they each ended up marrying the fun-loving Art and Architecture sisters. A wonderful example of this is the second building I visited, the Library of Congress. [click on pics to zoom.]

There are roughly 32 million books in over 470 languages, amongst other holdings. Anyone can reserve the materials and upon your slotted date, the staff will have your requests ready in an area just for you. When they told me that, my heart practically jumped out of its chest, like in the cartoons. Only legislators can actually check out the materials but imagine — hundreds of design, ornamental and art history books at your fingertips.

They have begun scanning and digitizing the books into the World Digital Library in the hopes that one day, people who do not have the means to travel to D.C. can still have access to the research online. It’s ingenious since it also preserves the materials.

(above) I wonder if the security staff in the right pic ever look up and think of just how wondrous all the ornamentation is. Here’s a closeup of the 23K gold leaf work.

(above) Elevators also adorned. Doors (L), ceiling (R) – to see a fuzzy full view, click here.

(below) The Italian Renaissance-style exterior. It’s my version of the Willy Wonka factory.

The artistry is as a result of more than fifty (50) American artists including Henry Oliver Walker, John White Alexander, Gari Melchers, George Barse, Jr. and Elihu Vedder. To read more about the history and artistry, click here. Tomorrow, there will be additional images of the Library of Congress, including mosaics and more decorative painting. I thought of putting it all into one post, but really it’s just too much. Even while there, I missed quite a few sights according to a pamphlet I read back at the hotel. (You better believe there was cursing upon the discovery of that.) It will definitely take another D.C. trip so I can continue soaking it all in. What a hardship.