When Washington, DC was a work in progress
The U. S. Capitol building was in the early stages of construction when the seat of government moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC in 1800. Only the north wing was ready to house the Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court and Library of Congress. John Love took his seat in the House in 1807 and served through 1811. According to the Architect of the Capitol: ” … construction on the south wing was sufficiently advanced that the House was able to occupy its new legislative chamber, and the wing was completed in 1811.” (Helping Build America: The Love Family of Buckland, Virginia, pp 61-62)
Except for fire damage from the August 24, 1814, British attack on Washington, the image below depicts the building as it appeared during Love’s two terms in Congress.
