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The Supreme Court Building Model

In mid-January 1929, after consulting with Chief Justice William Howard Taft, architect Cass Gilbert directed the John Donnelly Company to create a scale model in plaster of his proposed Supreme Court Building. The two men had unofficially been working together on the building’s plans for over two years. On May 11, the 7’ x 9’ model was shipped to Washington, D.C., for display in what is today known as the Russell Senate Office Building. Approval of the model was required by members of the Commission on Fine Arts. On May 17, it was inspected by the Justices, the Commission members, and others. The Commission’s approval quickly followed, and congressional funding was ultimately passed in December 1929. Today the model can be seen on the ground floor of the Supreme Court Building.