Photographing the Senate

The earliest known photographic image of the U.S. Capitol, taken in 1846. [Library of Congress; photo by John Plumbe]

The Senate, by Joseph P. Knapp, 1898. An early form of Photoshop, this composite image of the 1898 Senate was created using individual portraits of senators placed over a photograph of the Senate Chamber.  [U.S. Senate Historical Office]

Senate Chaplain Zebarney Phillips opens the Senate session with a prayer, February 21, 1939. [Senate Historical Office]

Senators Mike Mansfield (MT, umpire), John F. Kennedy (MA, catcher), and Henry 'Scoop' Jackson (WA, batter) took time away from their senatorial duties for a relaxing game of baseball. [U.S. Senate Historical Office]

Press photographers swarm Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox during the Senate Watergate hearings in 1973.  [U.S. Senate Historical Office.]

U.S. Senate, 112th Congress. [U.S. Senate Photographic Studio]