Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony—1793, Hall of Capitols (USCHS)

The paintings on the vaulted ceilings and walls of the House wing of the Capitol were commissioned (one hallway at a time) to balance the Brumidi Corridors on the Senate side of the Capitol.  There are three corridors with murals depicting scenes from American history: The Hall of Capitols, The Great Experiment Hall, and The Westward Expansion Corridor.

The Hall of Capitols in the eastern corridor depicts historic moments in congressional history and includes portraits of Architects of the Capitol from 1793 to 1974.  It was completed by artist Allyn Cox in 1974. The Great Experiment Hall in the central corridor illustrates events from American history from the signing of the Mayflower Compact in 1629 to the enactment of woman suffrage in 1920.  It was completed in 1982, shortly before Cox died.  Other works by Cox in the Capitol are the concluding three scenes in the Rotunda frieze, Henry Clay in the Senate Reception Room, and Moon Landing in the Brumidi Corridors.

The Westward Expansion Corridor in the western corridor represents the discovery and settlement of America.  It includes maps and scenes showing the growth of the United States from early exploration through the acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii.  It was originally designed by Allyn Cox and executed after his death by EverGreene Painting Studios, Inc. in 1993.

The artists used similar materials and methods in the decoration of all three corridors. After thorough surface preparation, canvas was applied to the walls and ceilings. The artists then transferred the designs from full-size cartoons to the canvas. Finally, the murals were executed in oil paint.