The columns were originally quarried from sandstone in Oxon Run, Maryland, in the 1820s.
They were deemed structurally unsound for the Capitol's expansion due to the weight of the new marble dome.
Each column is 26 tons and stands approximately 30 feet tall.
The columns were transported to the arboretum through a design project led by landscape architect Russell Page.
They remain one of the few examples of the original Capitol structure existing outside the Capitol Hill complex.
The base of the columns is oriented toward the city center, maintaining a symbolic link to the Capitol building.
The National Capitol Columns consist of 22 original Corinthian columns that once supported the East Portico of the United States Capitol building. Designed by Thomas U. Walter, these sandstone pillars were removed during the 1958 Capitol expansion and stood in storage for over two decades. In 1990, they were relocated to their current site within the U.S. National Arboretum as a permanent architectural installation. The columns are positioned in an open meadow on a concrete pad, reflecting their original spacing. They are arranged to stand free, providing a stark contrast between neoclassical design and the surrounding natural landscape. The installation serves as a focal point for the Ellipse Meadow, surrounded by woodland trails. The site remains a rare example of salvaged monumental architecture integrated into a botanical setting.
From the bottom of the hill looking up at the columns to capture their full height against the sky.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as the columns are located in a large meadow requiring a significant walk from other garden areas.
Visit during the spring when the surrounding meadow features seasonal wildflowers.
Bring a wide-angle lens, as the scale of the columns makes standard portraits difficult to frame.
Do not attempt to walk to the columns from the main road entrance, as the internal arboretum distances are much larger than they appear on a map.
The arboretum is open daily, but the columns are located in an outdoor area that may be inaccessible during extreme weather events or severe storm warnings.
Stay on marked paths and refrain from climbing or touching the sandstone to prevent erosion.
