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Capitol, Washington - Ridgway

Pattern Category: Places

Series: Beauties of America

Object Type: Dinner and Dessert Wares

Dimensions:

  • Length: 20.875 inches
  • Width: 15.75 inches

Description:

This pattern is seen here printed on an octagonal platter.  The design for the Capitol,  by Dr. William Thornton who was in charge of the Patent Office,  was approved in 1793, but extensively modified by other architects during the construction, including Benjamin Latrobe and Charles Bulfinch.   The Senate Wing was completed in 1800, the House Wing not until 1811, but the first session of the Congress in the new building was held November 17, 1800. The building was partially burnt by the British in 1814 . Reconstruction began in 1815 and continued until 1826, with eight years spent on the dome itself. In 1819 Congress could use only the two new wings and in 1824 when La Fayette visited the country, workmen were still rebuilding.