Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for washington d.c.
Watching Over the White House
By Linda Tancs
Located across from the White House, St. John’s Church at Lafayette Square has welcomed every U.S. president to worship in its sanctuary beginning with James Madison. A National Historic Landmark, it features a bell tower with a bell cast by the son of Paul Revere. Consecrated in 1816, it has borne witness to many events in American history, such as the first State Funeral for President William Henry Harrison, the signing of the Webster–Ashburton Treaty and the baptism of former First Lady Dolley Madison. Tours take place after the last Sunday service, free of charge.
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The Resolute Desk
By Linda Tancs
The Resolute Desk is the desk that the president of the United States uses in the Oval Office. Its timbers hail from the HMS Resolute, a British ship that had been lost at sea in the 1800s. Recovered by an American whaler, it was restored and returned to Britain as a token of goodwill. Queen Victoria then had the timbers fashioned into a desk for U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. You won’t see it on a tour of the White House, but you can experience a faithful reproduction at places like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York.
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Horses on the Mall
By Linda Tancs
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center provides visitors with information on the history of the Mounted Unit, one of the oldest and most beloved equestrian units in the country. Open Thursday through Sunday, the schedule of the horses will vary based on patrol times, rest times and meal times. The four-legged patrol will be viewable through special windows in the center as well as in the paddocks. The two-legged patrol, the U.S. Park Police, was created by President George Washington in 1791 and functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all federal parks.
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Women in the Arts
By Linda Tancs
Championing women through the arts, the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., promotes collections, exhibitions, programs and advocacy of women artists. It’s the only major museum in the world bringing recognition to the achievements of women artists of all periods and nationalities. The facility is located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, which is a 78,810-square-foot Washington landmark near the White House constructed in 1908 as a Masonic Temple.
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The Women’s Titanic Memorial
By Linda Tancs
Memorials to RMS Titanic are located around the world in cities like New York, Southampton, Cobh and Belfast. What’s unique about the memorial in Washington, D.C., is its dedication by the women of America. Indeed, funds for its construction were raised by donations from women across the country, including one of the first-class survivors, Mrs. Archibald Forbes. The memorial was unveiled in 1931 by Helen Taft, widow of the 27th U.S. President William Howard Taft. Like an eagle with outstretched wings, the moving centerpiece of the memorial is a 13-foot-tall figure of a partly clad male with arms outstretched, standing on a square base. That’s because the structure honors the men who gave their lives so that women and children might be saved. Tucked away along the city’s quiet southwest waterfront, the memorial is located on 4th and P streets.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Where Language Comes to Life
By Linda Tancs
If you love words, language and reading, then Planet Word is the place for you. Located on K Street in Washington, D.C., it’s touted as a museum where language comes to life. The facility is situated in the Franklin School, a National Historic Landmark named for Benjamin Franklin that had become the flagship school for Washington’s public school system. The museum features a speaking willow tree and a talking wall of words reaching 22 feet in height. The interactive exhibits encourage visitors to explore the origins of English and other languages and to speak, read and sing various texts. The experience is self guided, and admission is free.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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America’s Garden
By Linda Tancs
The U.S. Botanic Garden is America’s garden, originally established on the National Mall in 1820. The facility is the product of a dream shared by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to create a resource for the study and collection of plants. One of the oldest botanic gardens in North America, it’s recognized as a living plant museum and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The complex is now located along the north and south sides of Independence Avenue bordered by First Street and Third Street, SW. The Garden includes the Conservatory, housing collections of plants from subtropical, tropical and arid regions around the world; the National Garden, featuring the Rose Garden, the Butterfly Garden and the First Ladies Water Garden; and Bartholdi Park, where visitors will find a tapestry of theme gardens surrounding the historic Bartholdi Fountain.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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Washington’s Council House
By Linda Tancs
Following the Civil War, a series of townhomes sprung up on Vermont Avenue in Washington, D.C. One of them eventually became the residence of Mary McLeod Bethune, a world-renowned educator, civil rights champion, leader of women and presidential adviser. Her last home in the nation’s capital, it served as the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women. The site was a rallying point for programs designed to address issues such as desegregation, inadequate housing, racial discrimination, health care, employment and the preservation of African American women’s history. Formerly known as the “Council House,” it was declared a National Historic Site in 1982 and subsequently renamed the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. Guided tours are given by park rangers on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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The Story of American Law Enforcement
By Linda Tancs
America’s first museum giving visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience of law enforcement opened late last year in Washington, D.C. Located in Judiciary Square, the National Law Enforcement Museum offers over 20,000 artifacts telling the story of American law enforcement since its beginnings. Seeking to encourage dialog between police and communities, the facility’s exhibits include a training simulator exploring the making of police decisions. The grounds also feature a memorial with the names of more than 21,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1791.
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An Urban Oasis in D.C.
By Linda Tancs
Officially authorized in 1890, Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., is the third national park to be designated by the federal government. This 1,754-acre city park has over 32 miles of hiking trails and paths, a planetarium, Civil War fortifications, mills and colonial houses. Two popular attractions are Old Stone House and Peirce Mill. Situated in the midst of Georgetown, Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in the nation’s capital. Peirce Mill was the most successful water-powered gristmill along Rock Creek until 1897 and today serves as an educational and heritage site. The Friendship Heights Metro is the closest station to the Nature Center, where you can find maps and other information about the park, which is free to enter and open year round.
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