Based in Washington, DC, journalism student Alec Schemmel earned a spot on the Dean’s List at Gannon University in 2016, and American University in 2018. Currently, Alec Schemmel is serving as a congressional intern for the ninth congressional district of North Carolina in the US House of Representatives. In this role, he performs tasks that range from legislative research and writing to constituent correspondence and leading tours of the U.S. Capitol.
The initial plan for the U.S. Capitol was created by Dr. William Thornton in the 1790s. Construction took place over the next several years, under the supervision of several different architects. In 1814, the Capitol building was set on fire by British troops as part of the War of 1812, and as a result it was not completed until 1826. Subsequent expansions and renovations took place in the 1850s and into the 1900s.
Today, the Capitol building serves as the home of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The design of the Capitol was inspired by both Greek and Roman architecture, as a nod to the ideals of the nation’s founders. Works of art depicting American historical events hang throughout its interior. Tours of the US Capitol visit the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall. Visitors are not permitted to visit the Senate and House galleries as part of a tour.
Alec Schemmel 