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• Historians of the House
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• Office of House Legislative Counsel
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Historians of the House

/tiles/non-collection/S/Smock_PA2017_09_0021.xmlCollection of the U.S. House of RepresentativesRaymond W. Smock served as the first Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives following his tenure as Director of the Office of the Bicentennial.

The House’s first history function, the Office of the Bicentennial, was created in 1983 to oversee the events and publications commemorating the 200th anniversary of the First Federal Congress in 1989. Following the bicentennial celebrations, the House authorized the creation of a permanent history office by adding the position of Historian inHouse Rule II (PDF), which concerns “other officers and officials.” Raymond Smock directed the Office of the Bicentennial before being appointed the first Historian.

The Office of the Historian maintains information on and answers inquiries about all aspects of House history spanning more than two centuries: important events, dates, people, precedents, and statistics. It has researched, written, and edited the House’s major historical publications includingThe Biographical Directory of the United States Congress and a series of books on women and minorities who have served in Congress. The office also conducts and publishes oral history interviews with former staff and Members of Congress.

TheHistorian’s Office works closely with the Clerk of the House, particularly the Clerk’s Office ofArt &Archives, which is responsible for preserving official House records and curating the institution’s art and artifacts.