BGuthrie Photos: DC -- Supreme Court Building -- Interior

DC -- Supreme Court Building -- Interior:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. SCI_180613_01.JPG: John McLean Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, 1830-1861 by Benjamin Paul Akers
2. SCI_180613_10.JPG: Samuel F. Miller Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, 1862-1890
3. SCI_180613_16.JPG: Oliver Wendell Holmes Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, 1920-1932 by Sergie Konenkov
4. SCI_180613_22.JPG: Stephen J. Field Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, 1863-1897 by Franklin Simmons
5. SCI_180613_27.JPG: James Wilson Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, 1789-1798 by Robert S. Susan
6. SCI_180925_002.JPG: Original Plaster Model of the Supreme Court Building, 1929 John Donnelly, Inc Architect Cass Gilbert presented this plaster model to the Supreme Court Building Commission in May 1929.
7. SCI_180925_009.JPG: Members of the Supreme Court view the model in the Senate Office Building. From left to right: Justices Louis D. Brandeis, Willis Van Devanter, Chief Justice William Howard Taft, Justices Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Pierce Butler, George Sutherland, and Harlan F. Stone.
8. SCI_180925_012.JPG: The Supreme Court building model surrounded by plans a a chart showing other buildings that Gilbert wanted to compare his design to, including "La Madeleine," the US Capitol, and other buildings on Capitol Hill.
9. SCI_180925_027.JPG: Sandra Day O'Connor by Danni Dawson
10. SCI_180925_033.JPG: Thurgood Marshall by Simmie Knox
11. SCI_180925_044.JPG: Harry A. Blackmun by Everett Raymond Kinstler
12. SCI_180925_056.JPG: Antonin Scalia by Nelson Shanks
13. SCI_180925_061.JPG: John Paul Stevens by James J. Ingwersen
14. SCI_180925_071.JPG: Louis D. Brandeis by Eben F. Comins
15. SCI_180925_081.JPG: Oliver Wendell Homes, Jr. by Charles Sydney Hopkinson
16. SCI_180925_094.JPG: William Strong by Robert Hinckley
17. SCI_180925_104.JPG: Alfred Moore by John Beale Bordley, after a miniature by an unknown artist
18. SCI_180925_114.JPG: 1789-1835: The Jay, Rutledge, Ellsworth, and Marshall Courts Chief Justice John Jay, 1789-1795, Appointed by Washington Chief Justice John Rutledge, 1795, Appointed by Washington Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, 1796-1800, Appointed by Washington Chief Justice John Marshall, 1801-1835, Appointed by J. Adams Home Sweet Home: Following the location of the federal government, the Court moved several times in its first ten years. * 1790, New York City * 1791-1800, Philadelphia * 1801-present, Washington DC Chief Justice John Marshall by the Numbers: 4 -- John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice 34 -- Years of service, longest ever for a Chief Justice 1 -- "Opinion of the Court," a practice institutionalized by Marshall. Previously the Justices often wrote their own opinions. 508 -- Number of Opinions of the Court he authored 3 -- Marshall served in all three branches of government: as a US Representative, Secretary of State and Chief Justice What to Wear? Many of the Court's traditions were determined early in its history, such as what to wear. Drawing inspiration from English tradition, the Justices settled on simple black robes. On Their Best Behavior: Think it's a job for life? Justices actually hold their offices during "good Behavior," but can be removed from office through impeachment, similar to a president. Only one Justice has faced an impeachment trial. In 1804, Samuel Chase was accused of expressing political beliefs from the Bench. Chase was acquitted on all counts which was seen as a victory for the independence of the Judiciary. The Final Word: Several cases during this period defined the Court's role in the federal government. The first case in which the Court used the power of judicial review -- the power to rule acts of the other branches of government unconstitutional -- came in Marbury v. Madison (1803). In so doing, the Court stated clearly that it would be the final authority on interpreting the Constitution. Going to the People: In addition to hearing Supreme Court cases, each Justice rode a circuit, or region of the country, acting as a circuit court judge. The Justices disliked this aspect of their job as travel was difficult, accommodations were poor, and they were away from their families for extended periods. Testing New Waters: Much of the early Court's docket was filled with maritime trade cases such as: * Murray v. Schooner Charming Betsy (1804) * US v. Cargo of Ship Fanny (1815) * Two Hundred Chests of Tea (1824) 1789: US Constitution Adopted 1790: Supreme Court meets for the first time 1793: Chisholm v. Georgia 1803: Louisiana Purchase 1803: Marbury v. Madison 1807: Seventh seat added to the Bench 1810: Fletcher v. Peck 1812-1815: War of 1812 1814: British burn US Capitol 1819: McCulloch vs Maryland Dartmouth College case 1820: Missouri Compromise 1823: Monroe Doctrine proclaimed 1824: Gibbons v. Ogden 1825: Erie Canal opens 1830: Indian Removal Act leads to Trail of Tears
19. SCI_180925_120.JPG: 1836-1873 The Taney and Chase Courts Chief Justice: Roger B. Taney, 1836-1864, appointed by Jackson Chief Justice: Salmon P. Chase, 1864-1873, appointed by Lincoln The National Debate: The Court became the center of the national debate on slavery in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), which questioned the rights of enslaved people and the ability of Congress to regulate slavery in territories. In a 7-2 decision, Chief Justice Taney wrote the Court's opinion, stating that slaves were not citizens and that Congress did not have the power to regulate slavery. Although Taney hoped to settle the argument once and for all, the opinion pushed the country closer to civil war. Judicial Snapshot: The first official photograph of the Court was taken in 1865 by Alexander Gardner (below). As photography became more common, members of government bodies were increasingly documented in photographs. This tradition continues today as an official photograph is taken every time a new member joins the Court. Westward, Ho! As the nation expanded westward, the court system followed. The first Justice appointed from west of the Mississippi, Samuel F. Miller, joined the Court in 1862 and several more soon followed. The addition of new territories also changed the types of cases before the Court, as they heard more cases relating to land disputes and new technologies, such as railroads. Musical Chairs: Throughout the 19th century, the number of seats on the Court changes as new states joined the nation, growing to ten in 1863. The number eventually settled at nine in 1869, where it remains today. 1837: 9 1863: 10 1866: 7 1869: 9 Law School Grads: When Benjamin R. Curtis joined the Court in 1851, he became the first Justice who had earned a law degree, graduating in 1832. Previously, few formal law schools existed and most students read law under the tutelage of practicing lawyers. Attending law school steadily became more common among members of the Court. New Amendments: The passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, prohibiting slavery and guaranteeing the rights of citizens, expanded the powers of the American Constitution. Much of the Justices' work in the next decades involved interpreting these new Amendments. 1836: First Catholic Justice: Roger B. Taney 1839: The Daguerreotype is invented 1841: Amistad case 1846-1848: Mexican-American War 1848: California Gold Rush begins 1852: Uncle Tom's Cabin is published 1852: Otis safety elevator is invented 1857: Dred Scot v. Sandford 1860: Court moves to the Old Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol 1861-1865: American Civil War 1863: Emancipation Proclamation 1865: First African-American admitted to the Supreme Court Bar: John S. Rock 1869: Trans-continental Railroad connected 1873: Levi Strauss created jeans 1873: Slaughterhouse cases
20. SCI_180925_123.JPG: Musical Chairs: Throughout the 19th century, the number of seats on the Court changes as new states joined the nation, growing to ten in 1863. The number eventually settled at nine in 1869, where it remains today. 1837: 9 1863: 10 1866: 7 1869: 9
21. SCI_180925_126.JPG: 1874-1910: The Waite and Fuller Courts Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite, 1874-1888, appointed by Grant Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller, 1888-1910, appointed by Cleveland 100 Years in the Making: You're invited to a Centennial Celebration! Join us on February 4, 1890 to celebrate 100 years of Supreme Court decision-making. Events will be held throughout New York City, the Courts first meeting place. Festivities will culminate in a grand banquet for 2,000 guests at the Lenox Lyceum. Branding Justice: The Justices of the late 19th century were well-known public figures frequently featured in news and social columns. Advertisers used their recognizable images, often without the Justices' knowledge. These ads suggested to consumers that the Court had "judged" their product to be superior to others. Separate but Equal: Now considered among the most controversial decisions in its history, the Court sanctioned the "separate but equal" doctrine in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), declaring that separate facilities for races were legal as long as they were equal. This ruling legitimized the segregated society created through Jim Crow laws. It was not until Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the separate but equal doctrine was overturned. Working From Home: With limited space in the US Capitol, the Justices worked from their homes, and messengers delivered correspondence between houses. It wa snot until the Supreme Court Building was constructed in 1935 that offices were provided for all the Justices. Among Friends: Justices often serve many years together. Despite difficult cases and disagreements, they strive to remain cordial. The tradition of the judicial handshake is attributed to Chief Justice Fuller. Before meeting in Court or Conference, all of the Justices shake hands as a sign of camaraderie. Balancing Business: The fast-growing economy of the late 19th century led to a large number of cases before the Court involving business and labor relations. The Justices were asked to interpret the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, prohibiting monopolies in business, and several labor laws relating to wages and working hours. We Need Help! With a growing docket and increasingly complicated cases, the Justices needed help to review cases and write opinions. In 1882, Justice Horace Gray became the first Justice to hire law clerks. Today the Justices can hire up to four law clerks each Term. 1874: First Impressionist art exhibition in Paris 1876: Hayes-Tilden election crisis 1876: Bell patents telephone 1879: Edison invents the light bulb 1879: First woman admitted to the Supreme Court Bar: Belva Lockwood 1890: Supreme Court's Centennial 1893: The Ferris Wheel debuts at the World's Columbian Exposition 1895: Income Tax case 1896: Plessy v. Ferguson 1898: Spanish-American War 1903: Wright Brothers first flight 1905: Lochner v. New York 1908: First Model T car produced 1908: Miller v. Oregon 1909: NAACP founded
22. SCI_180925_132.JPG: 100 Years in the Making: You're invited to a Centennial Celebration! Join us on February 4, 1890 to celebrate 100 years of Supreme Court decision-making. Events will be held throughout New York City, the Courts first meeting place. Festivities will culminate in a grand banquet for 2,000 guests at the Lenox Lyceum.
23. SCI_180925_134.JPG: Balancing Business: The fast-growing economy of the late 19th century led to a large number of cases before the Court involving business and labor relations. The Justices were asked to interpret the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, prohibiting monopolies in business, and several labor laws relating to wages and working hours.
24. SCI_180925_136.JPG: We Need Help! With a growing docket and increasingly complicated cases, the Justices needed help to review cases and write opinions. In 1882, Justice Horace Gray became the first Justice to hire law clerks. Today the Justices can hire up to four law clerks each Term.
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Same Subject: Click on this link to see coverage of items having the same subject: [US Supreme Court] [Display ALL US Supreme Court photos] [US Capitol Complex]
2018 photos: Overnight trips this year: (February) Greenville, NC for a Civil War Trust conference,, (May/June) Newport News, VA for another CWT conference, (July) my 13th consecutive trip to San Diego Comic-Con (including sites in Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles), (August twice, October) three trips to New York City (including New York Comic-Con), and (September) Chicago, IL for my CWT swansong event. Equipment this year: I continued to use my Fuji XS-1 cameras but, depending on the event, I also used a Nikon D7000. Number of photos taken this year: about 535,000.
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