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Category Archives: Monuments and Statues
Witherspoon caught at crossroads
Sometimes, the busiest venues can be the worst places to honor past Americans with statues. John Witherspoon is along Connecticut Ave. and N St. N.W. on a spit of land barely big enough for the 10-foot statue high atop a … Continue reading
Statue of Dr. Philip Jaisohn looks like the real thing
Many statues kinda, sorta, maybe look like the person. Given many of the subjects are long dead, it’s not always easy to know how striking the likeness may be. But outside the South Korean Embassy along Massachusetts Ave. is not … Continue reading
Hahnemann: Hero of Homeopathy
No way you know what this monument is unless you’re a pharmacist. Wandering in Scott Circle where Massachusetts Ave. and 16th St. N.W. meet is one of the widest monuments away from the mall. Four bas relief panels each four … Continue reading
Modern Head requires standing still to catch meaning
I walked past Modern Head several times and didn’t see him. I took this photo and still didn’t see him. But once I looked at the photo in the right angle — there he was. Wow, it sure took me … Continue reading
Reagan welcomes you to National airport
I still think it should be called (George) Washington National Airport. Indeed, there’s a sign on the north side that still says so. But lawmakers renamed it Reagan-Washington National Airport in 1998. That name lasted five minutes as many now … Continue reading
Cuban Friendship Urn – we’re friends again
Now that the U.S. has restored relations with Cuba after a half century of the Cold War, the Cuban Friendship Urn reminds us of a time when we were friends. Actually, U.S.-Cuban relations are a little complicated. The USS Maine … Continue reading
Boy Scout Memorial combines past and present
The Boy Scout represents the aspirations of all past, present, and future Scouts throughout the world. He carries a staff that has been taken from the male figure’s branch of peace. The scout wears the traditional uniform of the group … Continue reading
Gold thieves — beware the griffins
Plenty of treasure hunters come to Washington looking for riches, but the guardians are always there to protect our gold. Two Acacia Griffins protect the Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Building at 51 Louisiana Ave. N.W. in the shadow of the … Continue reading
Plenty of grief has come from Adams Memorial
This is a story that can feel personal. Of death and despair. Mark Twain and mistakes. When you find the statue made by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in the middle of Section E of Rock Creek Cemetery, hidden within a tall square … Continue reading
Handscaping U.S. Capitol grounds was visionary
Give Frederick Law Olmsted credit — he didn’t miss a thing. When landscaping the U.S. Capitol grounds in 1874, Olmstead wanted to create things that were both aesthetic and functional. The walls were low so the public could see over … Continue reading
A window underseas – World War II Submarine Memorial
It is a window to nowhere and to the seven seas. The World War II Submarine Memorial honoring those who served in the “Silent Service” faces the U.S. Navy Memorial near the Lone Sailor statue. The stained-glass window with a … Continue reading
Cupid’s Garden crosses many paths
I’ve driven by this sculpture countless times, but usually at breakneck speed coming down the hill on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington trying to make the light. Finally, I was walking nearby so I had to see it up close. I … Continue reading
Posted in Monuments and Statues
Tagged Arlington Va., Cupid's Garden, Photo by Rick Snider
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It’s a regular Tool De Force
It looks like odd tools in my collection, and it is. Tool De Force is a 12 1/2-foot sculpture at the National Building Museum representing some of the tools used in the industry. It was donated to NBM by … Continue reading
The other Taft – Robert A. Taft Memorial
Everyone knows my distant cousin William Howard Taft, the 26th U.S. president and the fattest person to ever serve in the White House. Figure I’d inherit that bloodline. But few remember his son Robert A. Taft whose accomplishments earned an … Continue reading
The general of them all – Alexander Macomb
It’s not often you’ll see a monument with Greek, Roman and Egyptian markings, but Gen. Alexander Macomb’s 14-foot marker at Congressional Cemetery has them all. The general is surrounded by four lions paws. A sword for his military career, cross … Continue reading
Rock Creek Cemetery markers for memories
Wandering through Rock Creek Cemetery is a lesson is historic architecture. It’s probably the best cemetery in Washington for angels alone. The rich and famous from former Washington territorial mayor “Boss” Shepherd to president Teddy Roosevelt’s iconic daughter Alice are … Continue reading
Here’s a bar bet you can win
Washington, D.C. is named after two people. Name them. I ask this of every group I take out and maybe 10 percent has someone who can answer it. OK, we all should know that George Washington is the Washington part. … Continue reading
