The United States Treasury Department

This impressive building is the headquarters of the United States Department of the Treasury. Some of its many duties include: ensuring the country’s financial security, producing coins and banknotes, reporting the government’s financial status to the President, and promoting economic prosperity. This institution standing right next to the White House is essential to the smooth running of the American economy. The statue in front of the entrance presents Albert Gallatin, the 4th Secretary of the Treasury. He served under the administrations of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, from 1801 to 1814. To this day, he holds the longest tenure in this role, with 13 years in office. Some of his legacy includes his contribution to the Louisiana Purchase and helping to organise the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They were the first explorers to cross the United States to the American West, to learn more about this unexplored territory. He also founded the New York University in 1831. He certainly deserves his statue in front of one of Washington’s most important buildings!