Elliott Woods
Encyclopedia
Elliott Woods was an American architect
who served as Architect of the Capitol
from 1902 to 1923.
, England
. Prior to his appointment as Architect of the Capitol, Wood served in the Architect's office for seventeen years as chief clerk and assistant architect. He also served as the architect or associate architect for other public buildings in the Washington area, and was an honorary associate of the American Institute of Architects
.
Theodore Roosevelt
on February 19, 1902. He served in this position until his death on May 22, 1923. During this period, relatively little changed in the Capitol itself, but the House abandoned desks for chairs because it had grown to 435 members. Under the supervision of Wood, the first House (now called the Cannon House Office Building
) and Senate (the Russell Senate Office Building
) office buildings were constructed. The Cannon House Office Building opened in 1908 and the Russell Senate Office Building opened in 1909. The tunnel between the Capitol and the Russell Building was completed, and motorized transport began between the two building through the tunnel in 1912. In 1910 the Capitol power plant was put into operation. Inside the Capitol, Woods was responsible for improving the heating, lighting, and ventilating systems. After Woods died in Spring Lake
, New Jersey
, still actively serving in the office, David Lynn
succeeded him as Architect of the Capitol.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who served as Architect of the Capitol
Architect of the Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, and also the head of that agency. The Architect of the Capitol is in the legislative branch and is responsible to the United States...
from 1902 to 1923.
Early years
Woods was born on February 2, 1865 near ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Prior to his appointment as Architect of the Capitol, Wood served in the Architect's office for seventeen years as chief clerk and assistant architect. He also served as the architect or associate architect for other public buildings in the Washington area, and was an honorary associate of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
.
Architect of the Capitol
Woods was appointed Architect of the Capitol by U.S. PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
on February 19, 1902. He served in this position until his death on May 22, 1923. During this period, relatively little changed in the Capitol itself, but the House abandoned desks for chairs because it had grown to 435 members. Under the supervision of Wood, the first House (now called the Cannon House Office Building
Cannon House Office Building
The Cannon House Office Building, completed in 1908, is the oldest congressional office building as well as a significant example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture...
) and Senate (the Russell Senate Office Building
Russell Senate Office Building
The Russell Senate Office Building is the oldest of the United States Senate office buildings. Designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, it was built from 1903 to 1908, opened in 1909, and named for former Senator Richard Brevard Russell, Jr. of Georgia in 1972...
) office buildings were constructed. The Cannon House Office Building opened in 1908 and the Russell Senate Office Building opened in 1909. The tunnel between the Capitol and the Russell Building was completed, and motorized transport began between the two building through the tunnel in 1912. In 1910 the Capitol power plant was put into operation. Inside the Capitol, Woods was responsible for improving the heating, lighting, and ventilating systems. After Woods died in Spring Lake
Spring Lake, New Jersey
Spring Lake is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,993....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, still actively serving in the office, David Lynn
David Lynn (architect)
David Lynn was an American architect and honorary member of the American Institute of Architects....
succeeded him as Architect of the Capitol.