The William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building, originally the US Post Office Department, began construction under the Hoover Administration and was completed under the New Deal in 1934. It is currently the headquarters for what’s left of the Environmental Protection Agency. It is richly decorated with New Deal artworks. There are 25 murals and 22 sculptural elements: 12 bas-reliefs, 2 statues, and 8 carved wood medallions. Famous artists include Eugene Francis Savage, William C. Palmer, and Karl Free.
The building itself is spectacular. The tour will be led by Cal Alum and GSA Art Historian Nick Hartigan. If you enjoyed the Culture Club tour of the New Deal artwork in the Wilbur G Cohen building, you will want to see this too.
What: Tour of the artwork in the William J. Clinton Federal Building
When: Wednesday, September 9, at 2 PM.
Where: 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, adjacent to the Federal Triangle Metro Station. (More details about where to enter the building will be forthcoming.)
Fun fact about Federal Triangle: Before the Civil War, this area was known as “Murder Bay.” It was bordered by Pennsylvania Ave., 15th St., and the "open sewer" of the Washington Canal. (The canal was a fever dream of L’Enfant’s, which he intended to emulate Venice’s Grand Canal. It was filled in during the 1870s due to disuse). Murder Bay was a total slum - rife with prostitution and robberies. Its seedy reputation grew further when Civil War soldiers favored Murder Bay's cheap alcohol and many brothels. While DC outlawed prostitution in 1914, lobbying continues unabated. In 1928, the city leveled Murder Bay and began building Federal Triangle in its place.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/1YhN1D9p7TDK2pRTA
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN SIGNING UP:
• You will need to individually sign up for yourself or for someone that will be accompanying you.
• DO NOT enter the names of multiple persons in a single sign-up. Sign up for only one person each time that you access the Google form.
• Enter your first and last name exactly as they appear on your REAL-ID compliant photo ID (i.e. a driver's license that says REAL ID, or a passport). No nicknames or security won't let you in.
• The tour is limited to 20 participants (the first 20 people to sign up).
• DEADLINE FOR SIGNING UP – September 2, 2026. If there is sufficient interest, an additional tour will be arranged for a later date.
Because this is a Federal Building, there are important security requirements that must be satisfied to gain entry:
• Bring a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or passport. (Make sure you verify that yours is compliant, or bring a passport if in doubt.)
• Be prepared for a security screening, much like an airport.
• Be prepared for at least one hour of walking.
