New collections of photos takes look inside justices' chambers

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court justices surround themselves at work with old books, quill pens and portraits and busts of America's earliest leaders. They also have stuffed animals, baseballs, model cars and American Indian drums.

A new collection of photographs takes viewers into the normally off-limits chambers to show justices clowning with their law clerks and at work in front of computer screens.

The justices usually guard their privacy. But seven of the nine allowed Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly into their three-room chambers with quaint fireplaces, oak paneling and, in some cases, fabulous views of the Capitol.

Kennerly has made photographs available on the Internet and published some in Newsweek magazine this month. More will be included in his book, being published next year by the University of Texas Center for American History, about the three branches of government and the journalists who cover them.

The photographs show that decorating taste and technology differs widely from one chamber to the next.

Justice Clarence Thomas, the youngest member at 54, has a flat-screen computer monitor and sleek chair. No computer is in evidence in the photographs of the office of 78-year-old Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Behind the desk of 83-year-old Justice John Paul Stevens sits an old silver radio, its antennae awkwardly raised.

Some of the justices have loads of personal pictures on their walls. Others have almost none.

By far the most formal office is that of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, with rich red walls. Matching red carpet showcases a pattern of gold stars. A 17th-century Dutch painting of a vase of flowers is framed ornately and hung above a pedestal table holding a sculpture of a Pony Express rider. It's a model from a monument in Sacramento, Calif., where Kennedy was born.

The photographs of Kennedy are serious. In one, he's in a dark suit in deep discussion with his law clerks, in another he's standing behind a desk, in a third pensive at a news conference.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has a Southwestern-themed office, a tribute to her home state of Arizona. American Indian rugs hang on the walls. She uses Navajo drums as coffee tables. Beyond earth-tone curtains is a view of the Capitol. She chose a hot pink suit for the sitting with Kennerly, a longtime friend.

In Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's chambers, there's a little more sentimental flavor. Stuffed animals, including a teddy bear in a black robe that was a gift from an aunt, sit on a table where Ginsburg smiles at her law clerks.

Ginsburg, in a bright red suit, has many photos, including one of her and Justice Antonin Scalia riding an elephant together in India. There's also a certificate from the hospital where she was treated for cancer. It congratulates her for graduating from "the Washington Hospital Center Department of strange events and even stranger people."

Thomas has a bowl of candy and model cars, including a semitrailer truck and bus, in his office. He's relaxed and laughing, wearing suspenders. On a leather couch is a pillow embroidered with "He ain't heavy, he's my brother."

Thomas also has the more formal things, including a bust of his grandfather and a picture of Abraham Lincoln. Separate framed photos of his wife and his son sit on the fireplace mantle.

Rehnquist looks a bit uncomfortable in the photos. He has a framed photo of his late wife on his mantle, one of the few obviously personal items in his office.

By contrast, a jovial looking Stevens, wearing his trademark bow tie, shows off an autographed baseball on his desk, from Cal Ripken Jr.

Down the hall there's a rumpled-looking Justice Stephen Breyer, with his sleeves rolled up, in front of his computer.

Scalia and Justice David Souter, who generally avoid journalists and cameras, refused to participate in Kennerly's project.

"Each justice's personality is reflected in their office," said Kennerly, who also shot portraits of willing justices 30 years ago.

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On the Net:

Kennerly photographs: http://www.kennerly.com/

Justices Ginsburg and Scalia on an elephant: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/tour/p-elepant-from-p-pavarotti