United States Capitol Historical Society

William de Leftwich Dodge's "Ambition" in the Library of Congress Jefferson Building.

Save the date for upcoming USCHS brown bag lectures! All are currently scheduled for noon-1 pm at 200 Maryland Ave. NE; Washington, DC 20002. They are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested and will open soon. Check back here for more details as they become available!

 


 

Black History Month Lectures

February 5: Sara Bon-Harper, executive director of James Monroe’s Highland, and Jennifer Stacy, member of Highland’s Descendant Advisory Council

  • “New History at James Monroe’s Highland”

February 12: John Colletta, Ph.D.

  • “Clark Mills and Philip Reed: The Master-Slave Collaboration that Culminated in Freedom”

 


 

Looking Ahead

March 25: Lynda Cooper, USCHS Capitol Fellow

  • “Chicago’s White City in the Nation’s Capital: The Relationship between the World’s Columbian Exposition and the Library of Congress”

April 1: Stephen West, The Catholic University of America

  • “Two Amendments, One Fraught History: Race, Sex, and the Right to Vote in the 15th and 19th Amendments, 1870-1920”

Want to Support Civic Education?

We believe that every student deserves an education about our nation’s history, that inspires them to be the best citizens they can be, no matter their background. Our “We the People” Constitution Tours™ provide immersive educational experiences for eighth-grade students from D.C. Title I schools, ensuring that students from historically underserved communities can explore the foundations of our democracy firsthand. During the program, students visit important sites related to the Constitution including the George Mason Memorial, the National Archives, the U.S. Capitol Building, and The People’s House: A White House Experience. As the cost of providing these tours continues to rise, your donation will help cover essential expenses, including transportation, lunches, knowledgeable tour guides, and educational materials.

  • A $111 donation covers all expenses for one student, covering all costs associated with the tour.
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  • $325 provides lunches for 25 students during their trip, ensuring they stay energized and engaged.
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  • A donation of $3,880 will sponsor an entire trip for one class.

“We the People,” speaks to the freedoms and responsibilities inherent in the Constitution of the United States of America. For Jim and me, it has been of the greatest importance that all citizens have an understanding of the democratic process and rule of law in order to be active participants in the form of self-governance laid out by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I believe that my support in Jim’s name of the “We the People” tours is essential for the future of our country.

– Mrs. Penny Morrill on why she supports the “We the People” Constitution Tours

Support Civic Education in 2025

Join us in our mission to educate, inspire, and encourage informed civic participation. By becoming an annual member, your support funds vital programs such as the ‘We the People’ Constitution Tour for DC students, free resources and lesson plans for teachers, and our series engaging virtual and in-person public history events. Together, we will preserve Congress’s history and empower citizens to influence the future of our democracy.

Join Today!

Help preserve and share the history of democracy with a year-end donation! Join as a member today and enjoy unique benefits—all while contributing to our mission of preserving history and promoting civic education.

Donations received by midnight tonight or checks postmarked on or before December 31, 2024, will be applied to the 2024 tax year.