American Federation of Labor

From 1916 to 1946, this was the home of the labor movement in America.

For 40 years, this building served as the headquarters of the pioneering labor organization the American Federation of Labor, which was founded in 1881 and led by Samuel Gompers. The American Federation of Labor represented a majority of organized labor, and this building was known as the "national labor temple." Woodrow Wilson gave the dedication address for the building, which symbolized the maturity and strength of the nation's most powerful union.

The building was designed by Milburn, Heister & Co. and built between 1915 and 1916. It served as the headquarters until the AFL-CIO merger in 1956. The building is 7 stories, and has a classical facade of tan brick with limestone trim.

DC Inventory: March 3, 1979
National Register: September 13, 1974
National Historic Landmark: May 30, 1974

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901 Massachusetts Avenue, NW