The Office of the Architect of the Capitol traces its origins to the "Residence Act of 1790" that authorized the construction of a
Capitol Building, as well as the White House. The Residence Act gave the President the authority to name a Commission to oversee
construction of the Capitol. From that time, a Commissioner or Board of Commissioners, named by the President, had responsibility for
additions and renovations to as well as the care of the Capitol Building and its grounds until 1867. In 1867, the concept of having a
Commissioner or Board of Commissioners was abandoned, and the Congress transferred those duties to the "Architect of the Capitol
Extension." That officer's position had been created in 1851 for the sole purpose of providing architectural services for the enlargement
of the Capitol. When these duties were expanded to include the care of the entire building and its grounds, the word "Extension" was
dropped from the title. Since 1867, responsibilities for both maintenance and architectural services have been vested in one congressional
officer, the “Architect of the Capitol."
Permanent authority for the care and maintenance of the Capitol is provided by the Act of August 15, 1876 (19 Stat.147; 40
U.S.C.162-163). This act has been amended as required to provide for the care and maintenance of additional buildings and grounds. The
Architect of the Capitol, acting as an agent of the Congress, is in charge of the structural and mechanical care of the Capitol and for making
arrangements with the proper authorities for ceremonies held in the building and on the grounds; he is also charged with the care and repair
of all works of art in the Capitol, under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library. He is responsible for the care, maintenance,
and improvement of the Capitol Grounds, including 221.6 acres of landscaping, parks, streets, and parking; he has responsibility for the
structural and mechanical care of the Library of Congress Buildings and the United States Supreme Court Building and Thurgood Marshall
Federal Judiciary Building, and the grounds around those buildings as well; and is also responsible for the warehouse facility at Fort Meade
Maryland.
Subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration as to matters of general policy, the Architect is similarly charged with the structural, mechanical, and domestic care and maintenance of the Senate Office Buildings, including the