Jamie L. Whitten Building facts for kids
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Administration Building
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 Location in Central Washington, D.C.
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| Location | 12th St. and Jefferson Dr., SW., Washington, D.C. |
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| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Rankin, Kellogg & Crane |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002175 (original) 15000845 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 24, 1974 |
| Boundary increase | December 1, 2015 |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Administration Building is a very important building in Washington, D.C.. It is also known as the Jamie L. Whitten Building. This building is where the main offices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are located.
The building stands out on the famous National Mall. It is connected to the larger U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building. What makes it special is that it's the only building on the Mall not meant for the general public.
It was one of the first big buildings in Washington, D.C., built in the beautiful Beaux-Arts style. This style later influenced many other buildings in the area. The east and west parts of the building were also pioneers. They were the first government offices made using reinforced concrete. The Whitten Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's recognized as a historically important place.
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Building History: How It Was Built
The idea for this new building on the Mall caused some debate. The original plan for the Mall, called the McMillan Plan, wanted open spaces without many buildings. The Department of Agriculture's chosen spot went against this plan.
Important people like Daniel Burnham and Charles McKim were against the building's location. But after President Theodore Roosevelt stepped in, the building's spot was changed. It was moved to fit better with the McMillan Plan. This happened even after some foundations were already laid in the wrong place!
Design and Style of the Whitten Building
The Administration Building was designed to be the public face of the Department of Agriculture. Architects Rankin, Kellogg, and Crane gave it a grand Beaux-Arts style. Even with a limited budget, it was built to a high standard. However, it looked a bit simpler compared to other grand buildings on the Mall.
The L-shaped parts of the building were finished between 1904 and 1908. But the main central section wasn't completed until 1930. The design was inspired by a famous building in Paris, France. This was the Hôtel de la Marine, built in 1774.
Inside, you can see beautiful art. The triangular part above the entrance has sculptures by Adolph Alexander Weinman. There are also murals inside by Gilbert White. The earlier east and west wings were built with strong reinforced concrete. The central part, however, was built using steel.
Why It's Called the Jamie L. Whitten Building
In 1995, the building was renamed the Jamie L. Whitten Building. This was to honor Mississippi Congressman Jamie L. Whitten. He was a very important politician. He used to lead a special committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. This committee dealt with money for agriculture, rural development, and food safety.
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The Administration Building around 1934.
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The front of the building with its tall Corinthian columns.
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A Department of Agriculture worker planting a new lawn in 1931.
Connecting Bridges
In 1936, special bridges were built. They cross Independence Avenue and connect the Administration Building to the South Building. These bridges are made of stone arches and look very impressive. The underside of the bridges has unique Guastavino tiles.
The east bridge is named after Seaman A. Knapp. The west bridge honors James Wilson, who was a Secretary of Agriculture.
Images for kids
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The new Department of Agriculture building around 1910. The two wings were built first, before the central part. The old headquarters building is to their right.
