This document, from the lesson plan series, "Teaching with Historic Places," provides a description of George Washington's life and the building of the U.S. Capitol. George Washington became the first U.S. President after leading the colonies through the revolutionary war. The U.S. Congress and the President decided to create a federal city on the Potomac River near Alexandria, Virginia. George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on September 23, 1793. Drawings, floorplans, and maps illustrate the text. Fifteen student activities supplement the text for instructional purposes in the elementary and secondary school curriculum. (CK)