Inside the Library of Congress Photo Gallery by Steve Ainsworth at pbase.com

Inside the Library of Congress

This gallery contains interior views of the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building. The building was finished in 1897 after 26 years of construction. Its interior is decorated in the ornate Italian style. You have to join a public tour to be able to access and photograph most areas in the building, and research areas are off-limits for photography. Unfortunately, that includes the central area beneath the rotunda, but there are plenty of other interesting views to capture. I tried to get the clearest images I could given low light, no tripod, and a decision not to use flash. This gallery is dedicated to Barbara Read and Fred Schaad, whose fine photo of the LOC motivated me to visit it.

Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Ceiling & Upper Balcony, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Rear View of Unnamed Female Figure & Upper Balcony.jpg	The Wise Owl, Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ground Floor Hallway.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Second Floor, Ceiling Mosaic.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Floor Detail, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling, Stairway, & Upper Balcony.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Stairway View.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling Artwork & Columns.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Arched Window & Ceiling Mosaics.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Archways & Mosaics.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Balcony Artwork, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Balcony Artwork, #2.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling Artwork & Columns, #2.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Decorative Arch Support.jpg	Library of Congress,Thomas Jefferson Building, Floor Detail, #2.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Another View, #1.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Balcony Artwork, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Ceiling Stained Glass Panels.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Marble Archway.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Stair Ballustrade, Inset Bust.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Upper Balcony, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Upstairs/Downstairs.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, View Up the Stairway to the Upper Balcony.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ground Floor, The Golden Hallway of Dreams.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Marble Archway & Artwork.jpg	Gilded Ceiling, Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Entryway to the Great Hall, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Upper Balcony, #2.jpg
Library of Congress,Thomas Jefferson Building, Marble Archway & Pastoral Painting.jpg	Gilded Ceiling, #2, Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Entryway to the Great Hall.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Painting of the Goddess Minerva.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Pastoral Painting & Ceiling Artwork.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Arched Window & Ceiling Mosaics.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Arched Window & Floor.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Balcony Artwork, #2.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling & Upper Balcony, #1.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Columns & Archways & Floor.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling Artwork & Columns, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling Artwork, & Columns #2.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Main Door & Upper Balcony.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Another View, #2.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Rear of Unnamed Figure.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Stairs & Columns, #1.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Upper Balcony.jpg
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Ceiling Mosaics.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, View Up the Stairway to the Upper Balcony.jpg	Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, Upstairs/Downstairs.jpg

comment |

John		06-Apr-2013 02:31
No books?

E.C.Rocha		19-Feb-2012 00:53
we,my wife and I have enjoyed your gallery collection.Thank you.The buildings,interior and exterior are spectacular.

Liz		23-Mar-2011 05:17
Great photos, Steve. My husband and I now want to visit in person. You have a great eye for photography. Love shooting photos myself. The Library of Congress is spectacular. Thanks

Steve Ainsworth		26-Jan-2011 17:20
I don't know, Aslam. I was on a tour and we weren't allowed in the room with the dome ceiling.

Aslam Rana		26-Jan-2011 14:16
Marvelous pictures. Is it correct that there is some Muslim reference depicts on the main dome ceiling?

citty		25-Feb-2010 14:24
Great website for info on project

Guest		25-Feb-2010 14:23
cooooooooool!

Barbara		13-Oct-2009 22:20
Reading Dan Brown's newest book and its fun looking for the items described in his book in this gorgeous building.

James Robertson		06-May-2009 01:26
Beautiful gallery of greatly detailed shots. They made me put the LOC on my must see places the next time I get to DC. Thanks for sharing.

Dudy Tuchfeld		13-Apr-2008 05:03
Great gallery V

Guest		03-Jun-2007 00:34
Beautiful images from our Library of Congress. I like both in color and B&W. Voted.

Barri Olson		30-Mar-2007 19:14
Steve A beautiful building...and these types of buildings are not easy on the photographer with dark halls and corners, and almost bare bulb lighting in them. You've done a remarkable job here. Congrats on this gallery. Wonderful. Best regards Barri

Tammy Lynn Hennig		25-Jan-2007 17:52
wonderful and beautiful gallery! i hope to go there someday soon to check it out! thanks for sharing! :)

Yanna		29-Dec-2006 14:56
The inside is very creative!!

Terry Bowker		13-Sep-2006 14:12
Very nice collection!

Dave Beedon		15-Aug-2006 23:42
The grandeur of this building reminds me of the central library in New York City.

Barbara Read and Fred Schaad		15-Aug-2006 14:33
Fantastic gallery Steve! I am so glad to see that you decided to visiti this magnificent building. Your shots are stunning! Good job. We will come back and visit this gallery often.

Guest		14-Aug-2006 19:16
superb!! Amazing, thanks for sharing ____________________ new photos of quad!! please visit and leave a comment : http://www.pbase.com/norbert06

Guest		14-Aug-2006 15:46
It looks like a palace!

Guest		14-Aug-2006 15:10
Wow, what an incredible place

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