standing tall.

these twenty-two sandstone columns were originally part of the east central portico of the united capitol, finished in 1826. the portico was the last part of the original capitol to be built. the stone quarried in aquia creek, virgnia, was brought to the capitol by boat where scores of cutter and carvers transformed the rough blocks into stately corinthian columns. workmen dismantled the portico in 1958 to make way for a large addition to the capitol. the marble pavving and staps were removed from the senate wing of the capitol. the columns and steps remained in storage until 1984 when they were transferred to the department of agriculture for display at the united states national arbortum. construction was made possible by the generosity of the american citizens whose names are here inscribed and by the friends of the netional arboretum.