robertbuccellato's MyC-SPAN

C-SPAN toured the U.S. Senate Chamber, in use since 1859, to learn about its history, art, and artifacts, including the famous Senate desks.

Located just off the Senate floor, the Senate Reception is one of the most ornately decorated spaces in the Capitol. It is today as it was when it first opened up in 1853--a place where senators can meet with constituents or other members. In 1957 the Senate began filling up some of the wall spaces with portraits of some of those past members considered Senate “greats” such as Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. This informal “hall of fame” is still adding new portraits from time to time. Adjacent to the Senate Reception Room is the LBJ Room. Named after former Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson, the stylized room is where he conducted much of his Senate business. The room is nicknamed “The Taj Mahal.”

Mr. Baker described the history of the Senate Reception Room in the U.S. Capitol Building. He conducted a tour of the room and explained the origins of the portraits of outstanding senators in the medallion spaces around the room.

The history, art, and architecture of the U.S. Capitol from its opening in 1800 to the present were featured through taped segments on the various public and private spaces in the building, tours, and personal stories about the Capitol from members of Congress, historians and curators. Several areas rarely seen by the public, and which had never been shown on television, were highlighted throughout the three-part program.

The third program focused on the north wing, the Senate side of the Capitol. It featured the old and current Senate chambers; the Old Supreme Court Chamber; the majority leader’s office suite; Senator Kennedy’s hideaway office space; the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office, where President Grant’s vice president, Henry Wilson, died in 1875; the Brumidi Corridors; and various Senate office spaces.

Videotaped portions of interviews with Senators Frist, Kennedy, Lott, Byrd, Dodd and others were shown. During live segments, Mr. Baker responded to viewer telephone ca

This ornate room is located just off the Senate floor. It is where President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1964 Voting Rights Act and where President Ronald Reagan established a tradition in 1981 of an inauguration day visit to sign documents and for photo opportunities with the media. Except for these visits, the room is used by senators for private meetings.

Mr. Byrd related the history of the Ohio Clock, located in the corridor directly outside the U.S. Senate chamber. He also showed its features.

Gary Silversmith gave a tour of the USS Sequoia, the yacht that served U.S. presidents from Herbert Hoover to Jimmy Carter. Mr. Silversmith, who purchased the National Historic Landmark in 2000, has collected stories about the 104 foot wooden vessel from former captains, crew members, and Secret Service agents. In this part of the program he talked about how he acquired the yacht and gave a tour of the upper deck. Pictures and a clip were also shown.

Robert Wolz gave a tour of President Harry S. Truman’s Little White House in Key West, Florida. Mr. Wolz showed the house and shared stories of President Truman’s working home. He spoke about the seven U.S. presidents who have visited the home, as well as some of the legislative policies that were developed during President Truman’s time at the house.

C-SPAN’s Local Content Vehicles (LCVs) made a stop in their “2015 LCV Cities Tour” in Key West, Florida, from April 23-28 to feature the history and literary life of the community. Working with the Comcast Cable local affiliate, they visited literary and historic sites where local historians, authors, and civic leaders were interviewed. The history segments air on American History TV (AHTV) on C-SPAN3 and the literary events/non-fiction author segments air on BookTV on C-SPAN2.

Harry Truman once said “All good leaders must be readers.” Curator Clay Bauske gave a tour of President Truman’s home, as well as his presidential library, to showcase his collection of books and explore the genres the 33rd president enjoyed most.

C-SPAN’s Local Content Vehicles (LCVs) made a stop in their “2018 LCV Cities Tour” in Independence, Missouri, from October 24-31, 2018, to feature the history and literary life of the community. Working with the Comcast cable local affiliate, they visited literary and historic sites where local historians, authors, and civic leaders were interviewed. The history segments air on American History TV (AHTV) on C-SPAN3 and the literary events/non-fiction author segments air on Book TV on C-SPAN2.

President Clinton and others talked about the plans and designs for his presidential library to be built in Little Rock, Arkansas. The library would house the presidential papers, contain a museum and policy center, as well as facilitate several festivals and public events.

Following the event, President Clinton mingled with the audience and answered one shouted question from a journalist.