The Capitol Dome--regular editions

Spring 2012

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Announcements and Upcoming Events March Book Events: The Capitol during the Civil War and the Speakership of Thomas Brackett Reed Two book signing lectures will be held on March 20 and 22 at noon in Ketchum Hall of the Veter- ans of Foreign Wars Building at 200 Maryland Avenue, NE. On Tuesday, March 20, Guy Gugliotta will discuss his new book, Freedom's Cap: The United States Capitol and the Coming of the Civil War, and on Thursday, March 22, Joseph T. Wilkins will discuss with the audience his historical novel, The Speaker Who Locked Up the House in a Fight Against White Supremacy: A Novel of 1890. Gugliotta, who covered Congress during a sixteen-year career as a national reporter for The Washington Post, was the recipient of a United States Capitol Historical Soci- ety Fellowship while research- ing Freedom's Cap. The book recounts the history and broader meaning of the Capitol through the lives of three men: Jefferson Davis, who remained the Capitol's staunchest advocate up until the week he left Washington to become president of the Confederacy; Davis's protégé and the Capitol's 17 THE CAPITOL DOME lead engineer, Captain Montgomery C. Meigs, who became quartermaster general of the Union Army and never forgave Davis for his betrayal of the nation; and the Capitol's brilliant architect and Meigs's longtime rival, Thomas U. Walter, who defended slavery at the beginning of the war but eventually turned fiercely against the South. In impeccable detail, Gugliotta captures the clash of personalities behind the building of the Capitol and the unique engineering, architectural, design, and political challenges the three men collectively overcame to create the iconic seat of American government. On Thursday, March 22, Joseph T. Wilkins will discuss with the audience The Speaker Who Locked Up the House in a Fight Against White Supremacy: A Novel of 1890. In this historical novel, the author tells the story of the House of Representatives in 1890, when progressive Repub- lican Speaker Thomas B. Reed presided over a Congress in which the dying embers of the Civil War flared up again as he confronted Southern white supremacists, determined to end their power. It is also a story of a Congress whose pay was stolen by a House cashier who ran off with the money and his mistress; where the Speaker ordered the House doors locked to keep the members inside, only to have enraged ex-Confed- erate cavalry officers kick them open; where the Speaker had to order a lobbyist-organized whore- house near the Ladies Gallery closed; and where a reporter from the Press Gallery shot and killed Congressman Preston Taulbee on the main stair- case of the House wing but was acquitted of the charge of murder by the jury. A skillful blend of historical research and dramatic writing, The Speaker Who Locked up the House is a riveting tale of the raucous 51st Congress of the United States—and what is most amazing is that it is all true. Both authors will be happy to autograph copies of their books. Bring your own copy or purchase one at the event. Wilkins' novel is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and Nook readers. Both events are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Email uschs@uschs.org with with your contact information or call (202) 543-8919 x38 and leave a message SPRING 2012

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