Have a question? Need assistance? Use our online form to ask a librarian for help.
Chat with a librarian, Monday through Friday, 12-4pm Eastern Time (except Federal Holidays).
The following books from the Library's collections discuss the Residence Act and the early history of Washington, D.C. The bibliography contains a selection of books for both general readers and for younger readers. Each title links to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are provided when available.
Building Washington: Engineering and Construction of the New Federal City, 1790-1840 by 
Creating the Federal City, 1774-1800: Potomac Fever by The Creation of Washington D. C.: The Idea and Location of the American Capital by 
Founding Brothers by Thomas Jefferson and the National Capital: Containing Notes and Correspondence Exchanged Between Jefferson, Washington, L’Enfant, Ellicott, Hallet, Thornton, Latrobe, the Commissioners, and Others, Relating to the Founding, Surveying, Planning, Designing, by 
Through a Fiery Trial: Building Washington, 1790-1800 by 
Washington: The Making of the American Capital by 
Building the Capital City by A Capital Capital City, 1790-1814 by 
