Ronald Arthur Sarasin, President of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society and a former Representative from Connecticut, led the Institute’s scholars on a private tour of the Capitol this morning.

The tour included Statuary Hall, the Rotunda and the Supreme Court chambers, which were in use from 1819 to 1860. The scholars also had the rare privilege of sitting on the floor of the House of Representatives.

On the floor, Sarasin discussed the history of the institution and pointed out many of the special features of the hall, such as the way the names of the members of Congress are illuminated on a wall panel for voting.