John A. Wilson Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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District Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Location | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| Built | 1904–1908 |
| Architect | Cope and Stewardson |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| Part of | Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site (ID66000865) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001422 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
The John A. Wilson District Building, often called the Wilson Building, is a very important place in Washington, D.C.. It is where the Mayor and the Council of Washington, D.C. have their offices. This is where decisions are made about how the city is run.
The building was finished in 1908. It was first called the District Building. In 1994, it was renamed to honor John A. Wilson, who was a former leader of the city council. The Wilson Building is part of the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site.
Contents
History of the Wilson Building
How the Building Started
The land where the Wilson Building stands today used to be a power station for streetcars. A fire destroyed this station in 1897. In 1902, the United States Congress decided to buy the land. They also approved money to build a new city government building. Before this, the D.C. government worked from the old District of Columbia City Hall.
Designing and Building It
A competition was held to find the best design for the new building. The goal was a "classic design" that looked like English Renaissance style. A company from Philadelphia, Cope and Stewardson, won the competition. Construction began in 1904.
The building was officially opened on July 4, 1908. Henry MacFarland, who was the President of the Board of Commissioners at the time, led the dedication. The Wilson Building has almost always been used for the city's local government. During World War II, about 200 visiting soldiers stayed there for a short time.
Important Events at the Building
In 1977, a serious event took place inside the building. A reporter named Maurice Williams was sadly killed during this event. The press room at the Wilson Building is now named in his memory.
In 1995, the city needed money for repairs to the building. So, two-thirds of the Wilson Building was rented out to the federal government for 20 years. The city had to pay to use its own space back. Later, Congress approved money for major renovations. This allowed the D.C. government to use the entire building again.
Outside the Wilson Building
The Wilson Building was designed in the American Beaux Arts style. This is a classical style of architecture. The building takes up a whole city block. It is located between 14th and 13 1/2th Streets NW. It is also across from Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The bottom part of the building is made of gray granite from Maine. The top four floors are built with white marble from New York. The main entrance has a large eagle sculpture. It is surrounded by two other sculptures. These sculptures represent "Justice" and "Law."
The fifth floor, which looks like an attic, has many sculptures. These are figures of men and women. They represent different important areas like sculpture, painting, architecture, music, and business.
In 2005, a statue of Alexander Robey Shepherd was put back in front of the building. He was a governor of Washington, D.C. from 1873 to 1874. The statue had been moved in 1979.
How the Building is Used Today
City Government at Work
After the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, Washington, D.C. got more control over its own government. Now, the city has an elected Mayor of the District of Columbia and Council of the District of Columbia. Both the Mayor and the D.C. Council have their offices in the Wilson Building. The D.C. Council also holds its meetings and committee sessions here.
Art in City Hall
In 2006, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities started the City Hall Arts Collection. This means that art from many different D.C.-area artists is shown throughout the building. Visitors can see glass art, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. A famous portrait painter named Simmie Knox painted the portrait of John A. Wilson. This painting is on display at the main entrance.
See also
In Spanish: Edificio del Distrito John A. Wilson para niños
