The Supreme Court
of the
United States
W
Introduction
elcome to the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the
country. As you walk inside this building, try to imagine how the past justices of
the Supreme Court felt as they entered this place for the first time. As Americans,
we feel very proud of our country and our way of life. Visiting the Supreme Court reinforces
that emotion. As you explore the building, phrases and words such as Constitution, Justice,
and Law seem more important than usual. The Court hears cases and controversies that
challenge the Constitution or the laws of the United States. It provides the final decision
of the law and it serves as guardian of constitutional liberties. Its mission is captured in the
phrase, “Equal Justice Under Law” which is carved over the main entrance doors of the
building. According to Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, the Supreme Court is “distinctly
American in concept and function.” The building’s design and architecture are a majestic
symbol of the Court’s importance as a “coequal, independent branch of government”
(Visitor’s Guide to the Supreme Court). The United States Supreme Court is a must-see for
all who come to the Nation’s capital. Enjoy your visit to the US Supreme Court!
“Equal Justice Under Law” as it is engraved on the architrave of the building.
The Building:
History and Architecture
T
he Court originally met at the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City.
Then in 1790, the Court and the National Capitol moved to Philadelphia. It
was first located in the State House (Independence Hall), and later in the City
Hall. In 1800, the Federal Government moved to the District of Columbia along with the
Supreme Court. At the time, the Court did not have its own building, so it had to meet in
several locations including the Capitol building. It was not until 1929 when Chief Justice
William Howard Taft persuaded Congress to give the Court its own building.
The building was designed by Cass
Gilbert in a classical Corinthian architectural style that would harmonize with the
neighboring congressional buildings. There
are statues seated on the sides of the front
stairway. On the left is a female figure,
representing the Contemplation of Justice.
On the right is a male figure, representing
the Authority of Law. The statues were
sculpted by James Earle Fraser. On the front
of the building are sixteen imposing marble
columns with an architrave above them.
The architrave contains the immortal phrase
“Equal Justice Under Law.” At the West
front of the building are the majestic bronze
entrance doors that each weighs six and a
half tons. The door panels were sculpted by
John Donnelly, Jr. and they show
representations of historic scenes in the
development of Western law. Some of these
scenes include the trial scene from the shield
of Achilles as described in the Iliad, Justinian
publishing the Corpus Juris, the Chancellor
publishing the first Statute of Westminster,
depicting “legal themes and famous
lawgivers” (Visitor’s Guide to the Supreme
Court).
The grand corridor of the building which
leads to the Chamber is called the Great
Hall. Standing along the Great Hall are
and the Chief Justice Marshall and Justice
Story.
Two of the most remarkable features of
the building are the astonishing marble and
bronze spiral staircases in the side corridors
on the ground floor. Cass Gilbert designed
the staircases to go up five stories high and
they are supported only by the overlapping
steps and their extensions to the wall.
The Court Chamber is located in the
center of the first floor. This is where the
Justices meet “to hear oral argument and
announce decisions” (Map: The Supreme
Court of the United States). It measures 82
by 91 and rises 44 feet to the ceiling. The
Chamber is bordered by twenty-four marble
columns. Along the tops of all four sides of
the Chamber are sculpted marble panels
double rows of monolithic marble columns
rising to the ceiling. Along the side walls
are busts of former Chief Justices, which
are alternately set in niches and on marble
pedestals.
A
What to See
s you walk onto the ground floor, visitors will enjoy the walls adorned with
portraits of past justices of the Court, and several exhibitions developed by the
Office of the Curator. These displays focus on the history of the Supreme Court,
the justices and the architecture of the building.
The exhibition, The Supreme Court Building: America’s Temple of Justice focuses on the
construction of the Supreme Court building, and the tradition which has made it a symbol
of Justice in America. In War and In Peace: The Supreme Court and the Civil War, marks the
150th anniversary of the Civil War and is focuses on the Supreme Court during that time.
Sandra Day O’Connor, First Woman on the Supreme Court is dedicated to the first woman to
serve as Justice in the Supreme Court, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, and serving
from 1981 to 2006. The Power of Image: Charles Evans Hughes in Prints, Photographs, and
Drawings, explores the public career of Charles Evans Hughes through 22 prints, photographs, and drawings from the Court’s collection. Capturing Justice: Judicial Portraits by
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, focuses on the artist and his influence establishing American
sculpture as a popular art medium. This exhibition includes works from the Court’s
collection, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Saint-Gaudens National
Historic Site.
Stop by the magnificent bronze statue of the fourth and longest serving Chief Justice in
the United States Supreme Court, John Marshall. Justice Marshall is well known for writing
the decision that stated it was the Supreme Court responsibility to make legal interpretation
of the Constitution. This statue, sculpted in 1883 by William Whetmore Story, was first
made public on the west plaza of the Capitol on May 10, 1884. On November 17, 1981, the
statue was moved to its current location on the ground floor of the Supreme Court.
Members of the
Supreme Court
Seated left to right:
•
•
•
•
•
Justice Clarence Thomas
Justice Antonin Scalia
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Standing left to right:
•
•
•
•
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Justice Stephen G. Breyer
Justice Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr.
Justice Elena Kagan
The current number of Justices of the Supreme Court is nine. The total number changed six
times until they finalized nine as the total number in 1869. The nine Justices sit on the bench
based on seniority. The Chief Justice sits in the middle while the senior Associate Justice sits
on his right and the other senior on his left. The the rest of the Justices left and right alternate
by seniority. Also, the Justices have traditionally worn black robes since the early nineteenth
century.
For more information on the Supreme Court members, visit www.supremecourt.gov.
What Else is There?
Attend a Courtroom Lecture
There is a 30-minute program in the Courtroom where visitors can learn more about the
judicial functions of the Supreme Court and the building’s history. Lines will form in the
Great Hall on the first floor before one of the scheduled times.
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
12:30 AM
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
3:30 PM
Note: Times are subject to change and are not offered when the Court is in session.
Bibliography
Irons, Peter H.. A people’s history of the Supreme Court. New York: Viking, 1999.
“Map: The Supreme Court of the United States.” Edited June, 2013.
Oak Hill Publishing Company. “Fascinating Facts About the Supreme Court.” US Supreme
Court Justices, Constitution Day Materials, Pocket Constitution Book, US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights. http://www.constitutionfacts.com/
us-supreme-court/fascinating-facts/ (accessed April 5, 2014).
“The Supreme Court of the United States.” Revised November, 2010.
United States. National Park Service. “Supreme Court Building.” National Parks Service.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc78.htm (accessed April 5, 2014).
“Visiting the Court - Supreme Court of the United States.” Visiting the Court - Supreme
Court of the United States. http://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/visiting.aspx (accessed April 5, 2014).
“Visitor’s Guide to the Supreme Court.” Revised October, 2012.
See the Court in Session
The Court meets between October and June and seating is available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Lines will form on the front plaza. Stop by the Public Information Office on
the ground floor, or visit www.supremecourt.gov for a schedule of days.
Watch the Visitors’ Film
There is a theater on the ground floor where visitors can see a 24-minute film featuring
interviews with the Justices. The film begins every 15 minutes and the last showing starts at
3:45 PM.
1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543
www.supremecourt.gov