U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress

Visiting the Supreme Court

Address: 1 First Street NE, Washington DC 20543

Website: https://www.supremecourt.gov/ For visitors information, click HERE. 

History:

• The court was established by the U.S. Constitution in 1789

• The first two sessions of the court were held in New York City, but moved to Philadelphia  and the first court cases were held in 1791. 

• The current Supreme Court Building opened to the public in 1935 and has been called a "Temple of Justice." 

Things To Do: 

• Attend a Courtroom Lecture: a 30-minute introduction to and history of the Supreme Court (not offered while court is in session and other select times)

• Watch the 24-minute visitor's film

Things to See:

• Exhibitions and portraits

• John Marshall statue - the longest serving Chief Justice (1801-1835)

• Spiral staircases

• Courtroom

• Great Hall

• There is also a gift shop and cafeteria 

Current Supreme Court Justices

• Clarence Thomas (1991– ) Roman Catholic

• Stephen G. Breyer (1994– ) Jewish

• Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. (2005– ) Roman Catholic

• Samuel A. Alito (2006– ) Roman Catholic

• Sonia Sotomayor (2009– ) Roman Catholic

• Elena Kagan (2010– ) Jewish

• Neil Gorsuch (2017– ) Episcopalian, raised Roman Catholic

• Brett Kavanaugh (2018– ) Roman Catholic