Library of Congress

To be perfectly frank, I did not appreciate the Library of Congress when I walked through the door. Every inch is decorated--and at first glance--you have no idea what any of it represents. There are names on the ceiling, Roman looking figures, Lady Liberty, and babies sculpted into the stairwell.

But I happened upon a tour just before it started and now I can say thank you to the Library for proving that Europeans are not the only ones that can play up the symbolism. The babes on the stairwell, if you pay attention, are all doing different tasks. One is a farmer, another a vitner, and then a scholar. These babes contribute to several other pieces in the Library attempting to offer knowledge to those from all walks of life. The names on the wall and ceiling you think are random historical figures, are actually influential Americans organized by profession. Why is Franklin's bust in the center of the entrance? The first lending librarian of course!

I didn't take many photos here because I know I'll be going back. But the Library is also home to one of the last Gutenburg Bibles. It sits on display juxaposed to one of the last hand-written bibles known to exist. And like every other building in this city, the Library has a round room full of statues and paintings. These statues and paintings represent the different areas of knowledge (i.e. Mathematics, Philosohpy, History).

I will probably take that tour more than once!

The first Library of Congress was inside the Capitol when the British invaded in 1814. All the books served as little more than kindling. So the main building of the Library is appropriately named after Jefferson, who donated his private library to Congress. Congress gave him one dollar for a fat book, and fifty-cents for a skiny book. That first collection represented international knowledge, and the Library still makes a point of collecting the works of hundreds of languages.