United States National Arboretum - The Capitol Columns

These twenty-two sandstone columns were originally part of the east central portico of the United States Capitol, finished in 1826. The portico was the last part of the Capitol building to be built. The stone quarried in Aquia Creek Virginia, was brought to the capitol by boat where scores of cutters and carvers transformed the rough blocks into stately Corinthian columns.

Workmen dismantled the portico in 1958 to make way for a large addition to the capitol. The marble paving and steps were removed from the senate wing of the capitol. The columns and steps remained in storage until 1984 when they were transferred to the Department of Agriculture for display at the United States National Arboretum.