Statue of Freedom
Park Bronze statue crowning the U.S. Capitol dome
Atop the U.S. Capitol dome, the Statue of Freedom crowns the building; tourists view it from the Capitol grounds and learn about it on guided Capitol tours.
The Statue of Freedom is the bronze allegorical figure that crowns the dome of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. It was designed by sculptor Thomas Crawford and installed in 1863.
The statue stands roughly 19 feet 6 inches (5.94 meters) tall and forms the apex of the Capitol dome, visible from the Capitol grounds and the National Mall. It serves as a symbolic crowning feature of the building and a familiar visual landmark in the Capitol Hill skyline.
Crawford’s design was produced in the mid-19th century and the statue was raised to the dome during construction and renovation of the iron dome in the 1860s. The figure has since been maintained as part of ongoing preservation of the Capitol dome.
The statue sits atop the Capitol dome on Capitol Hill, overlooking the National Mall and central Washington, D.C.
- Height and material: Measures about 19 feet 6 inches (5.94 meters) in height and is cast in bronze, making it a prominent sculptural feature at the top of the Capitol dome.
- Installation date: Installed atop the U.S. Capitol dome in 1863, it was designed by sculptor Thomas Crawford and placed during the Civil War era.
How to Get to Statue of Freedom #
The U.S. Capitol is on the east end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Capitol Visitor Center is accessed from First Street on the east side; nearest metro stations are Capitol South (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) and Union Station (Red Line). Guided tours and timed passes are available via the Visitor Center website.
Tips for Visiting Statue of Freedom #
- Book Capitol Visitor Center tours in advance via the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center website or through a Member of Congress for same-day passes.
- The Statue of Freedom sits atop the Capitol dome-close-up access is not allowed, but the statue is visible from the Capitol grounds and the Visitor Center.
- Security screening is required for building access; carry ID and allow time for screening.
Best Time to Visit Statue of Freedom #
The Statue of Freedom is the bronze figure crowning the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington, D.C., sculpted by Thomas Crawford and placed in 1863. It is a symbol of the Capitol building and American federal government.
Weather & Climate near Statue of Freedom #
Statue of Freedom's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1048 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (104 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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