Over a million square feet of usable space. That’s the Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building for you.
This imposing structure at 200 Constitution Avenue NW is more than just a workplace. It’s a monument to American labor history. It’s named after Frances Perkins the first female cabinet secretary in US history. She served as Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. Her legacy is woven into the very fabric of this building.
The Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building wasn’t always known by its current name. Initially called the New Labor Building its construction began in the mid-1960s. The project was ambitious. It aimed to consolidate the Department of Labor’s offices scattered across more than twenty locations. This was during the time of President John F Kennedy. The building was a significant undertaking. It was one of the first federal buildings to acquire air rights. This allowed it to be built over Interstate 395. Construction concluded in 1975 at a cost of $95 million.
The building’s official renaming ceremony took place on April 10 1980. This was the centennial of Frances Perkins’ birth. President Jimmy Carter and Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall presided. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan played a significant role in the renaming. Susanna Coggeshall Frances Perkins’ daughter was also present. A plaque on the building aptly describes Perkins’ legacy as enhancing the lives of all of us.
The Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building is more than just concrete and steel. It houses the Cesar Chavez Auditorium the Wirtz Library and the Labor Hall of Honor. It is a testament to American workers. It serves as a daily reminder of the tireless efforts of those who fought for workers’ rights. Walk these halls and feel the weight of history. Let the legacy of Frances Perkins and the countless workers inspire you.