Washington DC Great Hall Tour

Step into the Library of Congress’s Jefferson Building, where art and architecture tell a sweeping story of human knowledge. This 90-minute Washington, DC Great Hall tour follows ideas from celestial observation to the preservation of civilization, revealing how knowledge is discovered, recorded, shared, used in government, and carried forward.

Admire John White Alexander’s murals, study the intricate Minerva Mosaic, and take in the grandeur of the Great Hall’s staircases. Along the way, encounter remarkable treasures including the Gutenberg Bible, the Waldseemüller Map, and Thomas Jefferson’s original book collection. Changing exhibitions add fresh perspectives on the achievements of the past. With a live English-speaking guide, the Washington, DC Great Hall tour brings the building’s decorative arts and historic collections into a connected narrative. Meet at the south side of the Carriage Drop off on the lower-level entrance, and discover the stories woven into this landmark.