---
kind: "section"
citation: "2 U.S.C. § 2131"
title: "2"
title_heading: "The Congress"
number: "2131"
heading: "National Statuary Hall"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/2/2131"
units:
  - "Chapter 30 — Operation and Maintenance of Capitol Complex"
  - "Subchapter V — Historical Preservation and Fine Arts"
  - "Part D — Miscellaneous"
---

# §2131. National Statuary Hall


Suitable structures and railings shall be erected in the old hall of Representatives for the reception and protection of statuary, and the same shall be under the supervision and direction of the Architect of the Capitol. And the President is authorized to invite all the [States](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1) to provide and furnish statues, in marble or bronze, not exceeding two in number for each [State](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1), of deceased persons who have been citizens thereof, and illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military services, such as each [State](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1) may deem to be worthy of this national commemoration; and when so furnished, the same shall be placed in the old hall of the House of Representatives, in the Capitol of the United States, which is set apart, or so much thereof as may be necessary, as a national statuary hall for the purpose herein indicated.


## Source credit

(R.S. § 1814; Aug. 15, 1876, ch. 287, 19 Stat. 147.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was classified to section 187 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by Pub. L. 107–217, § 1, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062.

R.S. § 1814 derived from act July 2, 1864, ch. 210, § 2, 13 Stat. 347.

Section 2 of act July 2, 1864, gave the supervision and direction of the National Statuary Hall to the Commissioner of Public Buildings.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Change of name of Architect of the Capitol, functions abolished, transferred, etc., by prior acts, see Prior Provisions and Change of Name notes set out under former section 1801 of this title.