History of the BEP: History of the BEP Buildings (1862-1880)

The first home of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the Treasury Building located on 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue. From 1862 until 1880, the work of engraving, printing and processing securities was completed primarily in the basement and attic of the building. To transport paper and printed materials between the two locations, a dumb waiter was employed. Directly after the Civil War, recommendations were put forth by the first chief, Spencer Clark, to find a building that could be used exclusively for the printing of the securities of the United States.