National Statuary Hall Collection: Background and Legislative Options (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 13, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R42812 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Jacob R. Straus, Analyst on the Congress; R. Eric Petersen, Specialist in American National Government |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
The National Statuary Hall Collection, located in the United States Capitol, comprises 100 statues
provided by individual states to honor persons notable for their historic renown or for
distinguished services. The collection was authorized in 1864, at the same time that Congress
redesignated the hall where the House of Representatives formerly met as National Statuary Hall.
The first statue, depicting Nathanael Greene, was provided in 1870 by Rhode Island. The
collection has consisted of 100 statues—two statues per state—since 2005, when New Mexico
sent a statue of Po’pay. At various times, aesthetic and structural concerns necessitated the
relocation of some statues throughout the Capitol. Today, some of the 100 individual statues in
the National Statuary Hall Collection are located in the House and Senate wings of the Capitol,
the Rotunda, the Crypt, and the Capitol Visitor Center.
Legislation to increase the size of the National Statuary Hall Collection was introduced in several
Congresses. These measures would permit states to furnish more than two statues or allow the
District of Columbia and the U.S. territories to provide statues to the collection. None of these
proposals were enacted.
Should Congress choose to expand the number of statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection,
the Joint Committee on the Library and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) may need to address
statue location to allay aesthetic, structural, and safety concerns in National Statuary Hall, the
Capitol Visitor Center, and other areas of the Capitol.
This report provides historical information on the National Statuary Hall Collection and National
Statuary Hall. It examines the creation, design, placement, and replacement of statues in the
National Statuary Hall Collection. The report then discusses recent legislative proposals to
increase the size of the National Statuary Hall Collection. Finally, the report discusses potential
issues for congressional consideration.
