Hidden Gems: A Cool Summer Spot Tucked Away on Capitol Hill

As we get into warmer temps in the summer months, it's nice to find a cool place to rest while exploring the city or during a long run on the mall.

I have long passed the Summerhouse as I ran down the north side of the Capitol building, but not until recently did I actually walk inside and explore the space. What a hidden gem!

The Summerhouse is a hexagon-shaped brick structure along the north-west side of the Capitol. It was completed around 1880 and was designed by the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted (of The Devil in the White City book fame, also designer of Central Park in New York).

Olmsted was appointed by Congress in 1874 to develop and improve the Capitol's grounds. He proposed the addition of the Summerhouse as a response to complaints that there was not a cool place to rest or find a drink of water while visiting the Capitol.

As someone with a design background, I greatly appreciate simplistic, well-designed architecture.  The Summerhouse is not ornate or verbose, it is quiet yet bold, subtle yet impactful. Features include arched doorways, basket-weave brick patterns, and 'windows' that give the visitor a peak into a stunning little grotto.  Gazing upon and listening to the water splash over the rocks is the perfect soothing environment to cool off on a hot day.

Originally, the center fountain was used for drinking water that was piped from a natural spring.  At present, the center fountain only serves as a focal point of the design, modern day drinking fountains have since been installed to hydrate Capitol visitors.

Something I always wondered about was why the Summerhouse was only built on the North side of the Capitol, and not the South. Every other structure and design element on the Capitol grounds seems to follow a rule of symmetry. So why would this one particular structure be on only one side?  While researching for this piece I learned that Olmsted had originally planned to construct a version on the South side; unfortunately, it was rejected by Congress during construction of the north side Summerhouse.

On your next run around the Capitol or leisurely stroll to the mall, stop by and explore this hidden Capitol Hill gem.

Happy Hilling!
S.