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Supreme Court Building

Facing the Capitol between Maryland Ave and E. Capitol St, NE, this white marble edifice is where the country's highest judicial body meets. Constructed between 1932 and 1935, it was designed by architect Cass Gilbert. Though the first session of the Supreme Court was convened on February 1, 1790, it took 145 years for it to find a permanent residence. During those years it met in the Royal Exchange Building in NY, in Independence Hall and later in City Hall in Philadelphia.

When the Federal government moved in 1800 to the permanent capital in Washington, Congress lent the Court space in the new Capitol building. In 1929, former President William Howard Taft, a former chief justice, persuaded Congress to end this arrangement and authorize a permanent home for the Court.

Now the court hears arguments 2 weeks of the month Monday through Wednesday 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm in early October through April. Exhibits and a film describing the court are presented on the ground floor.

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