Supreme Court at 1 First Street NE

Contemplation of Justice

In 1935 the Supreme Court moved into this building designed by Cass Gilbert and constructed between 1932 and 1935. Before 1935 the Supreme Court had no building of its own and met in a variety of places. In the very early years of the republic it met in New York and in Philadelphia. In 1800 it moved with the rest of the federal government to Washington and spent most of its time holding sessions in the United States Capitol.

The Supreme Court has exhibits, a theater showing a film on the Supreme Court and lectures. It is also possible to sit in on arguments being made before the Supreme Court. Click Visiting the Supreme Court for more information.

This statute on the left of the entrance to the Supreme Court is Contemplation of Justice by James Earle Fraser. The contemplative woman holds a blind figure of justice in her right hand.

Supreme Court Chamber in the Capitol 1810 - 1860

Most of the time from 1801 to 1935 the Supreme Court met in the United States Capitol. The Court met in the room shown in the image starting in 1810 until 1860. Although this room was not used continuously during that period. When the Capitol was burned during the War of 1812, the Court met in other locations, returning to this freshly restored chamber in 1819.

The Supreme Court is located at 1 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20543. Click Here for Google Map showing the location of the Supreme Court.

Closest Metro Station: At about one-third of a mile, the Capitol South Metro Station on the Blue and Orange Lines is nearest to the Supreme Court. The Union Station Metro Station on the Red Line is about half a mile from the Supreme Court.