Today in Federal Circuit History...

The courthouse that houses the Federal Circuit was dedicated on September 20, 1967.  Originally, the building plan called for a courthouse and an office building for White House staff, such that the Dolley Madison House, the former Cosmos Club building, and the Benjamin Ogle Tayloe House would be razed.  However, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy urged President John F. Kennedy to find an alternative solution as she was a strong supporter of historic preservation.  Jacqueline Kennedy then worked with architect John Carl Warnecke to construct a vision of the courthouse and the New Executive Office Building, while preserving the surrounding historic buildings.  The Building Committee, consisting of Chief Judge John Marvin Jones, Commissioner Marion Tinsley Bennett, and Chief Commissioner Arnold Wilson Cowen, brought the vision to light at the current 717 Madison Place, N.W. address.  Though the building was originally known as the National Courts Building, it was rededicated in Judge Howard T. Markey’s honor on October 23, 1998.  Thus, the building is currently known as The Howard T. Markey National Courts Building.

 
Pictured is First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, observing a model of the National Courts Building plans of architect John Carl Warnecke.  (p. 86 from The Federal Circuit – A Judicial Innovation: Establishing a United States Court of Appeals by Steve Flanders)

Pictured is the original design for the National Courts Building proposed by Cass Gilbert in which all of the historic buildings that are currently in existence, were planned to be razed.  (p. 87 from The Federal Circuit – A Judicial Innovation: Establishing a United States Court of Appeals by Steve Flanders)

Pictured is the design for the National Courts Building proposed by John Carl Warnecke. (p. 86 from The Federal Circuit – A Judicial Innovation: Establishing a United States Court of Appeals by Steve Flanders)