MISSION
The United States Capitol Historical Society (USCHS), founded in 1962, is chartered by Congress to educate the public on the history and heritage of the U.S. Capitol, its institutions and the people who have served therein.
The U.S. Capitol Historical Society derives its funds from individual and corporate memberships, gifts, grants and the sale of educational items such as the book, We, the People: The Story of the U.S. Capitol, calendars, tourist memorabilia, videos and books of general interest and academic research.
The Society continues exploring and instituting new and creative ways to bring the fascinating story of the Capitol, its institutions and our national history to people around the world. Societal activities include educational tours, scholarly symposia, observances of historic events, enhancement and preservation of the Capitol’s collection of art and artifacts, sponsorship of research on the public careers of those who have served in the Capitol, the sale of publications and mementos of historical nature and assistance to Congressional and other Capitol offices.
Governed by an executive committee drawn from the active board of trustees members, many of whom have been involved with the Capitol, the Society also receives advice and support from its honorary board. Past board members assist the Society through our Emeritus Board.
The U.S. Capitol Historical Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational 501(c)3 organization.
The United States Capitol Historical Society was organized in 1962 to study and interpret to the public the rich heritage of the Capitol building and the United States Congress. It is the only private non-profit educational organization dedicated solely to recording the history of the building and Congress, which serves as the instrument by which the American people govern themselves.
Active in the founding of the Society in 1962 were the bi-partisan leadership of the Congress, respected historians, other interested citizens and the catalyst and first Society President, Fred Schwengel, then a Congressman from Iowa. All incumbent Members of Congress are honorary members of the Society. In 1978, the responsibilities of the Society were greatly expanded when it was chartered by Congress. Another important duty that emanated from the 1968 Visitor Center Act was the operation of the visitor center in the Capitol where the Society provides information and historical literature and other items for sale to visitors to the Capitol.
The Society, with the support of the National Geographic Society, originated early in its history its first and most successful historical publication: We the People, the Story of the United States Capitol. Now in its 15th edition, more than five million copies of this informative and popular history have been sold in six languages. Soon after, in 1968, the Society published its first “We the People” historical calendar. In recent years the Society’s calendar has been seen in every part of the world and its distribution reached one million copies annually.
As the Society conceived additional projects and programs to further research the history of the Capitol and Congress, its publication program grew to include a guidebook to the Capital city, Washington Past and Present. Symposia are held that contribute to its nationally respected academic series of scholarly publications.
In 1975, the Society entered the visual media field, producing the video/film, “City Out of Wilderness” (updated in 1991) and in 1988 the video/film “A Place of Resounding Deeds.” These historical tours of the Capitol and Washington have been acclaimed by national educational associations and elementary and secondary teachers for their educational value.
The Society and its Board of Trustees realize the great need for providing factual information and insight into the history of the nation to both young and old. It promotes an informed body of citizens able to recognize the blessing that is America’s representative system of government, the sacrifice that has brought it about and the legacy of past generations who have preserved and carried it forward. In the words of former Society President Clarence J. Brown, “The mission of the Society is to research and interpret the history of the Capitol, the institutions and people who have served in it, and to preserve and enhance its beauty by providing art and artifacts for its embellishment.”
“Hear ye, Hear ye, The Congress of the United States passed HR-11035 by unanimous vote now known as Public Law No. 95-493; 95th Congress. On October 20, 1978 the President of the United States signed this Act as a Public Law giving the United States Capitol Historical Society a Congressional Charter with certain and important authorities to preserve and improve the Capitol, research, publish, create items, medals, and material of historical interest and to cooperate with congressional committees and federal agencies in the work of the Society and the distribution of its products.”
