Under the Dome: The Work Behind the Scenes at the Capitol

Update: Greg Casey, Senate Sergeant at Arms from 1996 to 1998, will replace Bill Pickle on August 29. USCHS apologizes for the change and encouages you to attend this final installment in our August series

Join the United States Capitol Historical Society Wednesdays in August at noon for a brown-bag lecture series that examines the behind-the-scenes work that brings the Capitol alive. Retired personnel and historians will discuss the jobs and the politics that provide the framework for Congress’ legislating, newsmaking, and pomp and circumstance.

August 8 : Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the House, 1987-1995

August 15 : Paul Hays, Reading Clerk, House of Representatives, 1988-2007

August 22 : Andrew R. Dodge, Independent Scholar, “The Story of the Biographical Directory”
Andrew Dodge will discuss the reasons for the creation of the Biographical Directory of members of Congress.  He will also talk about Charles Lanham, primary author of all the nineteenth editions but one, and his interactions with Congress.  This discussion of the nineteenth-century history of the publication will include the Congressional leaders involved, committee actions, reports, and court hearings on Lanham’s suits for violation of his copyright.  (The Biographical Directory was the first publication that Congress bought from a private individual and for which it paid a copyright fee.)  Finally, the talk will move into the twentieth century to review individuals involved, the patronage system, and technical developments.  Dodge assures us that sordid qualities wend their way through the entire history.

August 29 : Greg Casey, Senate Sergeant at Arms, 1996-1998

Noon to 1 pm

Ketchum Hall, VFW Building, 200 Maryland Ave. NE

Free and open to the public
Bring your lunch~drinks provided
Hill staff, Society members, and the general public are all welcome.
Pre-registration recommended: (202) 543-8919 x. 38 or uschs@uschs.org