Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

The Library of Congress is a gorgeous building. It is a work of art just by itself!

Here is a little history: The Library of Congress was established by an act of Congress in 1800 when President John Adams signed a bill providing for the transfer of the seat of government from Philadelphia to the new capital city of Washington. The legislation described a reference library for Congress only, containing "such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress"

Established with 5,000 appropriated by the legislation, the collection was housed in the new Capitol until Aug 1814, when invading British troops set fire to the Capitol Building, burning and pillaging the small library.

Within a month, retired President Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library as a replacement. Jefferson had spent 50 years accumulating books, "putting by everything which related to America, and indeed whatever was rare and valuable in every science." His library-now on display in this building in the exhibit "Thomas Jefferson's Library"- was considered on of the finest in the United States.