House Raising by William P. Chappel (1870s)
What can our public buildings teach us about citizenship?
In the article "Building Citizens," NCAS President Justin Shubow explores for the Jack Miller Center how architecture shapes civic life and reflects the ideals of a self-governing people. From Thomas Jefferson's vision of the U.S. Capitol as "the first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of the people" to the enduring beauty of America's classical monuments, Shubow traces how design has long served as a form of civic education.
He also asks what happens when beauty and meaning disappear from our built environment and, more importantly, why Americans still overwhelmingly prefer traditional, dignified architecture for their public spaces. As Shubow writes, quoting Jefferson, "Design activity and political thought are indivisible."
Read the full essay in the Fall 2025 issue of Civics Magazine exploring the theme "Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor: Unexpected Contentions for Civic Education."