Capitol Hill in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Madison
Library of Congress
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 21, 2025
1. Madison Marker
The James Madison Memorial Building
The Madison Building is the third Library of Congress Building on Capitol Hill and is the nation's official memorial to President James Madison - "father of the U.S. Constitution" and key author of the Bill of Rights. In 1783, as a member of the Continental Congress, Madison first sponsored the idea of a library for Congress by proposing a list of books that would be useful to legislators. Designed by DeWitt, Poor, and Shelton, Associated Architects, the Madison Building opened in 1980. Quotations from Madison about knowledge and democracy can be found on the exterior walls and in Madison Memorial Hall just inside the main entrance. In the hall, a statue by Walker K. Hancock shows Madison as a young man in his thirties, holding a copy of a French encyclopedia. Above the main entrance is a four-story bronze relief titled "Falling Books," by Frank Eliscu.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.
Location. 38° 53.246′ N, 77° 0.297′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Capitol Hill. It is at the intersection of Independence Avenue Southeast and 1st Street SE, on the left when traveling west on Independence Avenue Southeast
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Madison (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Jefferson (about 600 feet away); United States Capitol (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named United States Capitol (about 600 feet away); Destroying the Library (about 800 feet away); The Capitol in Flames (about 800 feet away); St. Mark's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. War Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named War Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); War Gardens Over the Top (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Victory Garden (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Victory Garden (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 21, 2025
2. Madison Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
