U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Tim Dillon, USA TODAY. Center spokesman Tom Fontana holds an illustration of what the completed center will look like.

To keep citizens out of the U.S. Capitol, they are creating an underground visitors center to "interpret" the experience for people. USA Today has a story about the progress of this facility, "U.S. Capitol visitor center nears completion." Although...from the article:

Fontana says the end result will be worth it for the millions of people who visit the Capitol each year. Visitors will be able to watch movies, view exhibits and even get a bite to eat in the new center, where two 30-by-70-foot skylights will offer dramatic views of the Capitol dome. Other amenities include 26 public restrooms (there are five in the Capitol itself) and a movie theater.

The 20,000-square-foot Great Hall and a 16,500-square-foot exhibition hall will showcase statues and artifacts such as the Lincoln catafalque, the bier used to support the caskets of presidents who lie in state in the Rotunda.

The Library of Congress anticipates more than a threefold increase in visitor traffic when a direct underground tunnel is completed between its building and the Capitol Visitor Center.

There will be more rooms for Congress to use, too, including a 450-seat auditorium wired for electronic voting, additional office space and more meeting rooms.

Index Keywords: cultural-heritage-tourism