United States Senate Chamber: Design and Furnishings
Located on the second floor of the north wing of the United States Capitol, just north of the rotunda, the Senate chamber serves as the heart of the legislative body. This semicircular, two-story room measures 50 feet wide and 75 feet long, crowned by a distinctive half-domed ceiling. The space blends neoclassical architectural influences with functional design to accommodate the proceedings of the U.S. Senate.
Key Facts
- Dimensions: 50 feet wide by 75 feet long.
- Color Palette: A consistent theme of crimson and gold.
- Capacity: Original layout provided desks and chairs for 64 senators.
- Materials: Extensive use of mahogany, variegated marble, and long-staple virgin wool.
- Architectural Style: Features Ionic and Corinthian columns inspired by classical Greek design.
Architectural Layout and Galleries
The chamber is designed to allow public observation through two distinct visitors' galleries. The east gallery is supported by eight Ionic columns—slender columns characterized by scroll-like ornaments—made of variegated marble from the Potomac River. This design was inspired by the Erechtheum of the Acropolis of Athens. A notable feature of this gallery is the 1823 "porthole portrait" of George Washington by Rembrandt Peale, added in 1832 to commemorate the centennial of Washington's birth.
The western side of the room features the Ladies' Gallery, which is larger and follows the curve of the wall. It is supported by 12 steel columns encased in cast-iron forms with Corinthian capitals—ornate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves. This gallery is finished with a wrought-iron balcony railing backed by crimson fabric.
The Dais and Official Furnishings
At the center of the room sits the dais, the raised platform where the presiding officers sit. The primary feature is the curved desk of the President of the Senate (the Vice President of the United States), which features richly carved legs and a crimson modesty screen. This desk is positioned under a mahogany valence and a canopy adorned with a carved gilt eagle and shield.
One tier below the Vice President's desk is a larger desk of similar design, historically used by the chief clerk and the secretary of the Senate.
Senator Seating and Desks
Radiating from the dais are four semicircular graduated platforms holding desks and chairs for 64 senators, reflecting the Senate's size when it moved to these quarters in 1859. While many original mahogany desks remain—including those once used by Daniel Webster and Jefferson Davis—others are replicas based on a circa 1819 design by New York City cabinetmaker Thomas Constantine.
Interior Details and Amenities
The chamber's aesthetic is defined by a crimson and gold color scheme. This is evident in the window treatments, the crimson drapery swags with gilt stars in the galleries, and the floor carpet, which is woven from long-staple virgin wool with a gold star pattern on a red background.
A glass screen separates the dais from a small lobby, allowing senators to remain within earshot of the floor while relaxing. This lobby contains two original fireplace mantels on the east wall; however, the mantels on the north and south ends are replicas, as the originals were removed when the room was briefly used by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Behind the final row of desks is a low paneled wall leading to a third visitor area. This space features red-upholstered sofas and was originally reserved for guests with special invitations from senators. The room also contains niches for stoves, though the current units are reproductions of the original coal- or wood-burning versions.
Ceiling and Lighting
The white, half-domed ceiling is elaborately coffered with decorative moldings. It features one large semicircular skylight surrounded by five smaller circular skylights. While these once provided natural light, they are now artificially lit. Lighting is further provided by a large brass chandelier, a reproduction of an original piece made by Philadelphia's Cornelius and Company.
Summary of Chamber Specifications
| Feature | Description/Material |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 50 ft wide x 75 ft long |
| Primary Wood | Mahogany |
| Color Scheme | Crimson and Gold |
| East Gallery Columns | Ionic (Potomac River marble) |
| West Gallery Columns | Corinthian (Steel encased in cast-iron) |
| Ceiling Type | Half-domed, white, coffered |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many senators were the original desks designed for?
The chamber was originally furnished with desks and chairs for 64 senators, which was the total number of senators at the time the body moved into its current quarters.
Who designed the mahogany furniture used in the chamber?
The desks and chairs are based on a design from approximately 1819 by Thomas Constantine, a cabinetmaker from New York City.
What is the significance of the portrait in the east gallery?
The east gallery houses a "porthole portrait" of George Washington painted by Rembrandt Peale in 1823, which was purchased for the chamber in 1832 to mark the 100th anniversary of Washington's birth.
Are the fireplaces in the lobby original?
Only the two fireplace mantels on the east wall are original. The mantels on the north and south ends are replicas because the originals were replaced with stoves during the period the chamber was used by the Supreme Court.
How is the chamber lit?
The chamber is lit by a large brass chandelier (a reproduction by Cornelius and Company) and a series of skylights in the ceiling that are now artificially illuminated.