Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress Private Guided Tour

Monday, September 15
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
10 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Registration Required for up to 25 people

OLLI is pleased to a unique tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress. We have been invited to tour on a Monday when the Library is closed to the public. Our tour includes the Great Hall, the Main Reading Room, the Mezzanine, and Thomas Jefferson’s Library. 

No matter how often experienced, stepping into the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building, the crown jewel among the three buildings housing the Library of Congress, is always a revelation, a feast for the eyes. Opened to much fanfare in 1897, this was the first permanent home of the Library of Congress, “the book palace of the American people” and today the largest public collection of knowledge in the world.

Our Tour
Our docent will guide us to the Great Hall, the centerpiece of the Jefferson Building, where an explanation of the structure, architectural features, and art will be provided. Our group will be invited to enter the Main Reading Room for a short visit. In addition, our docent will describe the history of the Library’s copy of the Gutenberg Bible, one of the first books to be printed using moveable type on Gutenberg’s game changing mechanical printing press. The Library of Congress copy is printed entirely on vellum and is one of only three perfect vellum copies known to exist. 

We move on to the Mezzanine with a magnificent overview of the Reading Room. Our docent will point out the stunning architectural details and describe the history and allegorical meanings of the mosaics and sculptures. Next, we will visit the Jefferson Library collection which has been relocated from the Rare Book Library to a more accessible room on the mezzanine level. Here you will see the books that Thomas Jefferson sold to the Library for $23,950 in 1815 after the original building was burned during the War of 1812. We will have time to explore the collection on our own and note which books were part of the original sale and which were replacements following an 1851 fire.

The docent will then take us to areas in the Library that are not open to the public, to further explore this magnificent building. 

Members are welcome to stay after the tour and explore the building including current exhibitions, and the reading rooms.

Pre-Register for a Reader Identification Card!
OLLI members attending the tour are invited to pre-register for a reader card. Complete the online pre-registration form here after you have received your tour confirmation, and at least two weeks prior to the tour date. Bring a valid ID such as a driver’s license or passport. Library staff will take an identification photo, have you provide a digitized signature, and give you your card. Your Reader Identification Card is valid for two years.

Arrival and Check-In
Please plan to arrive no later than 10:15 AM at the visitor entrance of the Thomas Jefferson Building, below the stairs, located at 10 First Street SE, between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street (see map here). Please pass through security and proceed to the Ground Floor Information Desk, do not wait outside. OLLI’s tour coordinator and our Library docent will meet you at the Information Desk. The building is ADA equipped for those who require assistance.

Directions to the Thomas Jefferson Building can be found here.