Becoming Statuary Hall: 1857–Present | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

On July 2, 1864, Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol was created. An excerpt from the article:

"This proposal was enacted into the law creating the National Statuary Hall, on July 2, 1864 (sec. 1814 of the Revised Statutes), the essential part of which specifies that each state would be invited “to provide and furnish statues, in marble or bronze, not exceeding two in number for each State, of deceased persons who have been citizens thereof, and illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military services such as each State may deem to be worthy of this national commemoration; and when so furnished the same shall be placed in the Old Hall of the House of Representatives, in the Capitol of the United States . . . as a national statuary hall for the purpose herein indicated.”

The concept became so successful that the Hall could soon no longer accommodate all the statues. On February 24, 1933, Congress passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 47 to set standards for the relocation of statues, and to govern the future reception and location of statues.
By 1935, 65 statues were crowded into Statuary Hall. In some places they were lined three deep. In addition to being poorly exhibited, the structure of the Chamber would not accommodate the excessive weight, and there were statues yet to come. So, under authority of the 1933 resolution, it was decided that only one statue from each State should be placed in Statuary Hall. The other statues were displayed in prominent spots throughout the Capitol."