Last updated: April 30, 2025
Place
East and West Committee Rooms of Congress Hall
NPS photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Congress Hall
Just before the Senate chambers in Congress Hall, there are the “East” and “West” Committee Rooms.
Used for meetings and the beginnings of the Library of Congress, you will also find large portraits-King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette of France. You may be surprised to find images of monarchs in the halls of Congress. After all, didn’t we fight an entire war to get rid of a King? During our fight against the British monarchy, we accepted help from the French monarchs
Uur first European allies during the American Revolution, the French provided money, supplies, a navy, and trained military personnel, including the Marquis de Lafayette, to help the cause. French assistance proved vital to America’s success during the war.In the 1780s, the new United States sent letters of congratulations to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette on the birth of a child. In turn the monarchs sent the United States some portraits, which were eventually hung in these spots during Congress’s stay in this building.
The original portraits were lost or destroyed but in 1976 the French nation gifted us these new portraits—a 200th birthday present and a continued sign of alliance between France and the United States.
Used for meetings and the beginnings of the Library of Congress, you will also find large portraits-King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette of France. You may be surprised to find images of monarchs in the halls of Congress. After all, didn’t we fight an entire war to get rid of a King? During our fight against the British monarchy, we accepted help from the French monarchs
Uur first European allies during the American Revolution, the French provided money, supplies, a navy, and trained military personnel, including the Marquis de Lafayette, to help the cause. French assistance proved vital to America’s success during the war.In the 1780s, the new United States sent letters of congratulations to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette on the birth of a child. In turn the monarchs sent the United States some portraits, which were eventually hung in these spots during Congress’s stay in this building.
The original portraits were lost or destroyed but in 1976 the French nation gifted us these new portraits—a 200th birthday present and a continued sign of alliance between France and the United States.