US EPA/Ariel rios federal Bldg.

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No Pamphlet or Ticket

 

September 29th, 2008

US EPA/Ariel Rios Federal Building  Washington, DC

 

     The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters is located in the Ariel Rios Federal Building. I focus on that building because it's gorgeous and a building that looks like so many others because it's in the Neoclassical Greek Revival style.  It's imposing, with massive columns and gorgeous embellishments.  Inside, I hear there are fantastic murals and artworks to see.  It's located in the Federal Triangle.  The building was The New Post office, but was renamed in 1985 when the Environmental Protection Agency moved in.  It was names in honor of Ariel Rios, an undercover special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who was killed in the line of duty in December 1982. The building was completed in 1934.

     The building was designed by William Adams Delano and William T. Aldrich. The central section of the tri-unit building is comprised of two huge, back to back, semi-circular units with side wings.

     Inside is a seven-story marble spiral staircase. A massive Chandelier lights each floor. The building contains 25 murals.

     Visitors and federal employees at the Ariel Rios Federal Building have expressed concerns about the appropriateness of six of these murals, including complaints that the murals stereotype Native Americans and that they contain images that are inappropriate for the workplace. Controversy over the murals is not new: The nudity depicted in the murals led to complaints when the murals were originally created. (Taken from Wikipedia)

     The Environmental Protection Agency is housed in the building.  The EPA, as it's known, is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and with safeguarding the natural environment.  

     This is a free attraction from the outside but I don't know the protocol from the inside.  Since it's predominantly a federal office building, you may need permission to visit.  However, it never hurts to ask if any parts are open to the public.  The Staircase and murals would be worth viewing.

 

Above: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Building

 

Links:
The EPA on Wiki

Washington DC list of areas

Statuary in Washington DC


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