District of Columbia Labor Landmarks

Name Street Address City State Historical Notes Additional information
AFL-CIO Headquarters 815 16th St. NW Washington DC President Dwight Eisenhower and AFL-CIO President George Meany laid the cornerstone of the building in 1955. The two murals on the ground floor titled, " Labor is Life" (south) and "Labor Omnia Vincit," (north) were designed by Lumen Martin Winter.. The quote on the north mural, "Labor Omnia Vincit," originally attributed to Homer had to be corrected to its author, Virgil.
The building's lobby houses a gallery space, and on all floors the art, posters and photos pay tribute to America's workers.
American Federation of Labor Headquarters 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington DC After completion in 1916, the building served as AFL headquarters until 1956. In 1957, the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitters Industry moved into the building. The cornerstone inscription, written by Samuel Gompers, said: "American Federation of Labor, Founded 1881. This edifice erected for service; in the cause of, Labor-Justice-Freedom-Humanity, 1915-1916."
[National Historic Landmark]
Amtrak Workers Memorial Union Station; 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington DC Memorial honors those Amtrak employees who "lost their lives in performance of their duties."
Arsenal Monument Range 97, Site 142; Congressional Cemetery; 1801 E St. SE Washington DC An accidental explosion at the Washington Arsenal on June 17, 1864, killed at least 21 women who worked filling cartridges for the Union Army during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln led the cortege to the cemetery, followed by a band, 90 pall bearers and 2,000 mourners. The monument was paid for with contributions from the public.
Furuseth, Andrew, Memorial Bust National Portrait Gallery Washington DC Union leader, Andrew Furuseth, was one of the founders of the SUP and the president of the International Seamen's Union of America. He was known as the "Abe Lincoln of the Seas." He was an immigrant from Romedal, Norway and has a monument there as well. There are at least seven castings of this bust; locations unknown.

see: Furuseth, Andrew, Memorial
see book: "Calf's Head and Union Tale" by Archie Green, 1996
Gompers, Samuel, House 2122 1st St. NW Washington DC Samuel Gompers served as president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from 1886 until 1924. He lived in this house from 1902 until 1917. The house is a private dwelling but can be viewed from the street.
Gompers, Samuel, Memorial (DC) park at 11th St. & Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington DC Gompers was a Jewish immigrant cigar maker from England who founded the AFL in 1881 and was re-elected as its president 42 times until his death in 1924. In 1985, the integrity of the internal ironwork of the bronze statues was found to be in need of repair.

see: Gompers, Samuel, Memorial (TX)
"The History of Labor in America" Murals Frances Perkins Building; Dept. of Labor: 200 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC The murals feature the evolution of labor in America. Each mural represents a specific period and they are respectively titled: Colonization, Settlement, Industry, and Technology. The Dept. of Labor is open during government working hours and a picture ID is necessary to enter the building.
Labor Hall of Fame Frances Perkins Building; Dept. of Labor: 200 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC The Labor Hall of Fame honors those Americans whose distinctive contributions to the field of labor have enhanced the quality of life of millions. Included are leaders: Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, Eugene V. Debs, and Mother Jones. The Labor Hall of Fame is open during government working hours and a picture ID is necessary to enter the building.
"The Meaning of Social Security" Mural Voice of America; Wilbur J. Cohen Building; 330 Independence Ave. SW Washington DC Ben Shahn's murals show the hardships of life before the establishment of Social Security, and its benefits--work, the family, and prosperity. Workers in various occupations are shown re-building America through public works projects. The murals are open to the public by appointment only. Call 202-619-3919 or email pubaff@voa.gov.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial E St., between 4th & 5th Sts. NW Washington DC The Memorial honors all of America's federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1794. There is a Visitors Center located at 605 E St. NW, two blocks away from the Memorial.
Powderly, Terence V., Gravesite Rock Creek Church Cemetery Washington DC Powderly, the national leader of the Knights of Labor from 1878-1893, led the organization from secrecy to national prominence. By mid-1886 the KOL numbered about one million, including women and racial minorities. After 1902, Powderly served at the Department of Labor. He died in Washington, DC on June 24, 1924.
Powderly, Terence, Home 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW Washington DC After relinquishing leadership of the Knights of Labor, Terence Powderly moved to Washington, D.C., in 1897 when he was appointed U.S. Commissioner General of Immigration. He built the home to host his many friends and Mother Jones was a frequent visitor.
Randolph, A. Philip, Memorial (DC) Union Station, departing/outgoing trains Washington DC Honors the labor leader and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph, leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. see: Randolph, A. Philip, Memorial (MA)
Service Employees International Union Bas-Relief 1313 L St. NW Washington DC Inscribed, "In Unity, Strength," the relief depicts labor's progress, from the days of early factory workers to today's SEIU membership.
Sturdivant, John, Bust Frances Perkins Building; Dept. of Labor: 200 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC John Sturdivant was the president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) from 1988 until his death in 1997. He is credited with revitalizing AFGE as a key players in federal personnel issues. Sturdivant was honored for a lifetime of dedication to meeting the needs of federal employees.
The Dept. of Labor is open during government working hours and a picture ID is necessary to enter the building.
United Mine Workers of America International Headquarters, 1937-99 900 15th St. NW Washington DC Under the leadership of John L. Lewis, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) moved their headquarters to Washington, D.C., in 1937. The union sold the building in 1999.
Washington National Cathedral's Labor Windows Massachusetts & Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington DC The three stained glass windows honor the contributions of America's labor unions by featuring individual union seals. Each window is dedicated to the work of the labor leaders Samuel Gompers, Philip Murray, and William Green. Unionized workers, members of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) built the Cathedral. To get a close look at their work and the structure of the Cathedral, take the "Behind the Scenes" Tour.


previous state IALL next state


Return to Homepage