Some amazing old drawings of what our Library of Congress could have looked like.

Take a look at the proposed design for the Library of Congress by Leon Beaver in 1873. Check out some of his drawings to see what the Library of Congress could have looked like!

In December 1941, as a precautionary measure, the Library of Congress transported 5,000 boxes of materials to 3 locations of "relative security." We can thank Davidson Modern Movers for saving one set of these documents. Read the story of this amazing event here!

Take a look at the 1861 view from the Capitol roof! This post looks at the sites visible from Washington, DC in 1861, including the ghostly, blurred waving American flag in the center. Source: Library of Congress.

On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On the same day, The Evening Star newspaper was published, featuring a "Special Notice" that is as interesting as anything that could be published today. Take a look at the newspaper, the day after the assassination.

Explore two drawings of the proposed National Library at Judiciary Square between 1875 and 1879. See what could have been if this plan had been accepted!

Take a look back in time and see the Library of Congress in the early 1900s with this amazing, sharp photo. See the history and beauty of this iconic building.

Take a look at this amazing old photograph from 1866, which shows the interior of the old Library of Congress in the Capitol Building before the current one was constructed.

Take a look at this amazing photograph taken around 1880 from the top of the U.S. Capitol, showing the view southeast toward the Anacostia River. Includes a block of five homes at 1st and A St. SE built around 1800 and razed in 1887 to build the Library of Congress.

Take a look back at the construction of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. from May 10, 1893 with this historic photo from the Library of Congress itself. Click on it for greater detail.