U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Opens
Tourists get a history lesson while they wait
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WASHINGTON: People view an exhibit during a media tour of the newly finished Capitol Visitor Center on Capitol Hill Nov. 10, 2008.
Tourists coming to see the U.S. Capitol will not have to brave the elements to get a tour anymore.
The new underground visitor center opens for business Tuesday afternoon.
Buried under the grounds of the east side of the Capitol building, the new structure will be the entry and exit point for visitors. Exhibits and historic artifacts will help educate people while they wait and large glass skylights will provide views of the famous dome.
Enhanced security features were added into the project following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
With the new system, visitors will be screened long before they enter the Capitol. The new visitor center will open to the public at 1 p.m.
The opening comes four years later than planned. The project also came in way over budget, costing more than twice the original price tag.
Posted Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 - 11:43 AM EST
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