United States Capitol Historical Society

WASHINGTON – Friday, May 9, 2025 – The United States Capitol Historical Society expresses its sincere appreciation for Dr. Carla Hayden and her nine years of service as the 14th Librarian of Congress. As the head of our national library, she brought a renewed vigor to the work of providing research, reference, and informational support to the Congress while also making one of the world’s largest libraries more accessible to the American People.

The Society presented its highest honor, the Freedom Award, to Dr. Hayden in 2020, announcing at the time that “Democracy itself stands on the shoulders of reliable, factual, universally available sources of information. Under Dr. Hayden’s forward-thinking leadership, the Library of Congress works tirelessly every day to advance public understanding of and appreciation for freedom through making the Library’s vast and diverse collections accessible to its users throughout the country.” The award ceremony, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, featured laudatory remarks from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senators Roy Blunt, Ben Cardin, and Barbara Mikulski, patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch III, Archivist of the U.S. David Ferriero, U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, Pulitzer-prize winning historian Jon Meacham, and distinguished Yale Historian Dr. Joanne B. Freeman.

“Our nation is better for her faithful service,” Society President/CEO Jane L. Campbell remarked upon learning of Dr. Hayden’s departure from the Library. “The U.S. Capitol Historical Society was chartered by Congress ‘to foster and increase an informed patriotism,’ and we’ve had no better partner than the Library of Congress under Dr. Hayden’s visionary leadership. She will be missed dearly.”

A screengrab from the virtual 2020 Freedom Award Ceremony honoring Dr. Carla Hayden.

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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

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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.

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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.