US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

Discover the rich heritage of “the People's House” and its central role in U.S. history since 1789. Explore its unique story and the men and women who have shaped it. Browse its collections. Access historical data and other research resources.

Whereas: Stories from the People’s House

April 7, 2026

Recent Artifacts Online, Spring 2026

How did Members of Congress make a living before their House service? In this roundup, newly digitized objects show how some Representatives spent their time putting food on America’s tables.

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House History

Representative Jeannette Rankin: Suffragist in the House

Unlike other early women in Congress, Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana came from a suffrage background with long experience as a lobbyist before her election in 1916. Learn how the first woman in Congress influenced the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

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About The Offices

This site is a collaborative project between the Office of the Historian and the Clerk of the House's Office of Art and Archives. The offices preserve, collect, and interpret the heritage of the U.S. House, serving as the institution’s memory and a resource for Members, staff, and the general public.

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