The Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coins were authorized in Public Law 106-126 to commemorate Congress convening in the Capitol Building in 1800. Sales of these coins helped benefit the construction of a visitor center under the U.S. Capitol's East Plaza.
The 580,000-square-foot visitor center opened in December 2008, containing space for interactive and multi-media exhibits in many languages, food service, security and storage, and allowing access to the Capitol building.
Ever since George Washington laid its cornerstone, the U.S. Capitol building has been the definitive symbol of America’s democracy. In keeping with the values of our democracy, the Capitol Building–the workplace of our legislature–is open to the public, receiving over 5 million visitors a year.
When Congress first gathered in this building on November 17, 1800, the sparse population and woodland surroundings of Washington, D.C. inspired some to call it a “palace in the wilderness.” The members of this original gathering could hardly have envisioned the volume of visitors the building would host 200 years later.
To receive these visitors better, the Capitol building needed a secure place that offered guests comfort, information and assistance, and enough space to accommodate the crowds who come to see democracy in action.
Under the guidance of Congressional leaders in the Capitol Preservation Commission, plans were drawn up for a visitors’ center on the East Front of the Capitol. On June 20, 2000, ground was broken for the Capitol Visitor Center, the first step toward its planned completion in 2005.
The underground facility serves as the main visitor entrance to the U.S. Capitol and includes Exhibition Hall where permanent and rotating exhibits focus on the history of the legislative branch, the legislative process and the architecture and art of the U.S. Capitol. The CVC also houses a restaurant, two orientation theaters, a large auditorium, two on-site gift shops and an online gift shop. Since its opening in 2008, more than 29 million people have visited the CVC. The Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services oversees the CVC. This position reports administratively to the Architect of the Capitol but operates under the Chief of Operations.
-Architect of the Capitol (2025)
A portion of the proceeds from each coin--$35 from the Gold Five Dollar coin, $10 from the Silver Dollar coin, and $3 from the Clad Half Dollar--went to benefit the construction of a visitor center under the U.S. Capitol's East Plaza.
