Adams Hall

“A book’s journey,” a visitor once mused at the John Adams Building, “isn’t about the pages it holds, but the hands it touches.” The John Adams Building, the second oldest building of the Library of Congress, stands as a testament to that very journey. Here, on Second Street SE, nestled between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street, this Art Deco masterpiece, clad in white Georgia marble, has held millions of stories within its walls since its opening on April 5, 1939. Originally simply called “The Annex,” the John Adams Building wasn’t named for the second president, who signed the law creating the Library of Congress, until 1980. Its creation was a vision of Librarian of Congress Herbert Putnam, brought to life by the architectural firm of Pierson & Wilson, with Alexander Buel Trowbridge as consulting architect. Congress authorized the project in 1928, and after years of planning and construction, the building finally opened its doors, significantly expanding the library’s capacity with its 180 miles of shelving. Imagine the sheer volume of knowledge contained within! This building boasts twelve tiers of stacks, each spanning an impressive 13 acres. From the cellar to the fourth floor, these stacks can hold up to ten million volumes, a remarkable feat of engineering and design. The John Adams Building wasn’t just a functional space for books; it was a showcase of innovation. It incorporated then-modern materials like acoustical block, Formica, Vitrolite, and glass tubing. The bronze entrance doors, sculpted by Lee Lawrie, depict figures from various cultures who are associated with writing, a fitting tribute to the written word. Hermes, Odin, Ogma, and even Sequoyah, the creator of the Cherokee syllabary, stand guard, welcoming visitors into this temple of knowledge. These original bronze doors remain, now flanked by modern glass doors added in 2013. The south entrance, though not currently used, features figures representing physical and intellectual labor, a reminder of the dedication required to create and preserve knowledge. The John Adams Building at the Library of Congress offers a powerful reminder. It isn’t simply a repository of books, but a testament to the enduring power of knowledge and the human endeavor to preserve it.