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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2019 Monumental Thoughts.
Author Archives: Rick
My 10 tips for Washington visitors (and locals, too)
I’ve seen tourists from dozens of countries visit Washington over the years. Now that I lead groups, I really have some advice for those coming in the summer. Since my blog is read nearly equally by out-of-towners as locals and … Continue reading
Scott: Best general of whom you’ve probably never heard
The legend says all statues face the White House. It’s not true, though this one does. Gen. Winfield Scott’s statue lies in the three-sided circle of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Aves. and 16th St. N.W. just blocks from the White … Continue reading
A stone of another color
It’s funny what grabs you while walking among the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. The large purple quartz marker that includes the plaque of James Fingal Gregory is one of a kind. At least, I’ve never seen one like it … Continue reading
Fort Washington is a forgotten jewel of two centuries
(Reprinting one of our favorite columns) Growing up near the fort just south of town, I remember walking Fort Washington’s steps and hills down to the Potomac River with great joy. Then for some reason, I went 30 years without … Continue reading
Remembering Audie Murphy at Arlington National Cemetery
(Reprinting one of our favorite columns) It’s amazing how yesterday’s heroes are today’s forgotten ones. It happens all the time in society. Singers and actors once all the rage now draw blank stares from teens. Sinatra – is that a … Continue reading
Wordless Wednesday: Columbia Gardens
Posted in Monuments and Statues
Tagged Arlington Va., Columbia Gardens, Photo by Rick Snider, statues
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Restoration on Mount Vernon mansion
Keeping a 250-year-old mansion in pristine shape isn’t easy. Now Mount Vernon is taking things down to scratch. George Washington was a sharp guy in more than beating the British. He wanted the mansion to have a stone look like … Continue reading
George Washington’s whiskey is a little rye, uh dry
(Reprinting one of our favorites) After beating the British and serving two terms as our president that included putting down the Whiskey Rebellion, George Washington retired to his home Mount Vernon — to make whiskey. In fact, Washington was the … Continue reading
Society of the Cincinnati and Larz Anderson House
When first hearing the Society of the Cincinnati was not about the town but a Roman soldier, I thought how strange. Weren’t all Roman warriors named Spartacus or something like that? Well, it was something like that. The Society is … Continue reading
Eleftherios Venizelos: Maker of Modern Greece
OK, I admit knowing nothing of Eleftherios Venizelos when coming across the statue along Embassy Row on Massachusetts Ave. by the Greek embassy. But that’s the cool part of being a tour guide – you learn, learn and learn. Venizelos … Continue reading
Wordless Wednesday: Spring is for blossoms
Posted in Washington life
Tagged Arlington Va., Blossoms, Columbia Gardens, Photo by Rick Snider
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RFK, Griffith and Marshall fill stadium entrance
(Reprinted from 2015) RFK Stadium is known for its games, concerts and events, but the statues in front are altogether missed by many too busy to get inside or in too much of a hurry to beat the crowd afterwards. … Continue reading
The Torch of Freedom still shines brightly
It’s not often one monument can essentially tell the history of the U.S., but the Torch of Freedom gives 12 scenes from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam. Located in front of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building at Constitution Ave. … Continue reading
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is must see
It has probably been 40 years since I last saw the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and it wasn’t even completed then. A recent visit showed I’ve been away too long. The Shrine on the outer … Continue reading
Jefferson Memorial to get cleaning
Notice the white stripe on the Jefferson Memorial’s dome? It’s just the start. The U.S. Park Service awarded an $8.75 million contract to clean the marble of a biofilm, repair stone and replace the roof by May 2020. Meanwhile, the … Continue reading
Hands off Yoko Ono tree
The Yoko One tree in the Hirshhorn sculpture gardens remains, but people are now asked to whisper their wishes rather than write them down and tie them to the tree until it blooms.
