In 1783, the Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds commissioned Olmsted, who had co-designed Central Park in New York City, to design the grounds of the Capitol. Olmsted created a park-like plan that complimented the Capitol building. His plan added marble terraces on the northern, western, and southern sides of the building, and a summerhouse for visitors on the side near the Mall. Olmsted's career designing park systems and as an urban planner influenced design plans for the National Mall into the 1900s.
Frederick Law Olmsted
Architect of the Capitol. View original image.