Robert Pohl worked for many years as a computer programmer but recovered from that and became a full time stay-at-home dad. With his son now in school, he has expanded his horizons and become a self-taught historian. He has written books about his house as well as Emancipation in the District of Columbia. You can reach Robert at Robert[at]thehillishome.com
Every visitor today to the Capitol can’t but notice the extreme care that is taken to keeping the edifice in top shape. From the Architect of the Capitol down to the cleaning crews, everyone ensures that the building not only looks good today, but will remain so for all time. Readers of my past columns […]
A few months ago, when I was looking for evidence of Washington – and the Capitol – as a magnet for newlyweds I came across an article in the Washington Evening Star of October 12, 1930 entitled “Columbus in Art in the U.S. Capitol.” As the title suggests, it looked at all the artworks “in […]
I recently watched a lecture given by Steve Livengood of the Capitol Historical Society about those who lived on Square 688 just southeast of the Capitol. While most who lived there were exactly the kinds of people you would expect – doorkeepers of the House and Senate, for instance, one man in particular jumped out […]
It was about 1 p.m. on an otherwise normal day on Capitol Hill in June of 1906 when the cry went up: “The elephant has come.” Members of Congress, visitors, and workers all sprang to action. In a committee room on the west front of the Capitol, Representative Olcott of New York adjourned his hearing […]
Shootings in the Capitol have a long and sordid history. From the shooting of Ex-Representative Taulbee by Charles Kincaid to the attack by Puerto Rican separatists on the House of Representatives, to the shooting of officers Gibson and Chestnut, the Capitol is no stranger to violence. There is one incident, however, that stands out, mainly […]