Pan American Union Building

OAS Headquarters

One of my favorite buildings in Washington is prominent, but little recognized by most who visit the city. Sitting on the corner of 17th and Constitution, the Pan American Union Building is the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS). The organization is an intergovernmental organization whose 35 member states across the Western Hemisphere work together on peace, security, human rights and democracy. While it does not have the prominence of other organizations such as the United Nations, the OAS has a fascinating history and the building has been the site of several important meetings, including the first International Labour Conference in 1919. It is a history that goes largely unknown to many North Americans. As evidence, James Reston wrote in 1967: “The American People will do anything for Latin America except read about it.” 

The photograph of the dedication of the building

Built between 1908 and 1910, there are great photographs of the cornerstone being laid by 1908 and the dedication of the building in 1910.  There is a great photograph of President William Howard Taft and Andrew Carnegie, one of the benefactors of the building, planting a peace tree at the building’s inauguration. The tree still stands in the atrium of the building, beneath a huge skylight. The fascinating thing about the photograph is that the viewer’s eyes are drawn to the foreground where the towering Taft, resting on a spade, Carnegie, with his hands crossed in front of him, and the other dignitaries gaze into the camera; however, easily overlooked, and barely noticeable, are the four women, in big hats, on the stairs in the background.

The Peace Tree in the Atrium

The interior of the building is beautiful with marble and wood dominating the décor. In various places around the building historical markers denote the importance of the structure to the political and diplomatic history of the Americas. The Hall of Flags and Heroes contains the flags of all the member countries and statues of important historical and political figures from many. Adjacent is the hall of the Americas, where the most important meetings take place beneath Tiffany chandeliers and massive white columns. I have been attending meetings in the Hall of the Americas for over thirty years and it has never ceased to amaze and inspire me.  It is one of the best human-created spaces that I have visited.

As grand as the building, the small monuments around the building are just as fascinating. On the Northside of the building, a small statue honors Amerigo Vespucci. Slightly obscured by pine trees, a statue given by the government of Brazil depicts the prophet Daniel. 

More photographs from the OAS here.

  

The Prophet Daniel statue