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Tag Archives: best DC walking tours
American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial brings peace
It’s peaceful when entering the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. It’s just a block off the National Mall near congressional offices at 150 Washington Ave. SW, sandwiched into a one-time medium area that was a short cut exiting town. … Continue reading
Oh angel, why so sad?
I love statues in cemeteries. Angels intrigued me, especially when memorializing someone forever. Richard Rothwell and his wife Emma lie beneath a sighing angel in Congressional Cemetery. Rothwell was once paid by Congress for creating 20 centographs that remember late … Continue reading
No bowing, she’s not the queen
You never know what kids will say. I asked some youngsters who I was standing next to and “The Queen of England?” was the first response. Well, I must admit she does look a little like Queen Elizabeth, but it’s … Continue reading
The history of flags by the FBI
Sometimes the government website says it better than we can. Here is the FBI’s website explanation of the history of flags along its building on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington. The Grand Union, or Continental Colors, serving from 1775-1777, was first … Continue reading
Posted in Attractions
Tagged best DC walking tours, FBI, FBI flags, History of U.S. flags, Photo by Rick Snider
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The curious cube of Congressional Cemetery
The black cube in Congressional Cemetery curiously placed at an angle will make you stop. The graves of Charles Fowler and Kenneth Dresser are marked with a cube just 50 yards on the right once entering the gate. Fowler was … Continue reading
Lafayette – the Frenchman that Americans loved
The General Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette was a key figure in American winning its independence. Lafayette blocked the escape route of the British ships at Yorktown, thus forcing Gen. Cornwallis to surrender to George Washington. Lafayette stands atop a marble … Continue reading
Slow down to see Woodrow Wilson medallion
Not often is a memorial meant to be seen at 60 miles per hour. In fact, I went by it for 52 years before discovering it’s not a dime. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge connecting Maryland and Virginia is named after … Continue reading
James Garfield Memorial – my 6th cousin
The only thing I knew about James Garfield was he was once U.S. president. I would have struggled to write a fifth-grade report on him But coming across Garfield’s memorial on the U.S. Capitol grounds intrigued me into learning more. … Continue reading
The Chess Players: It’s not over until it’s over
I’m telling you, the player on the left could still win this match. Come on, take the castle already. This game has been going on for an eternity. Well, at least since 1983. The Chess Players is one of those … Continue reading
The Concert makes you stop
I’ll admit to not knowing much about art, but I know what I like and “The Concert” by Dutch artist Gerrit Van Honthorst made me stop, sit and ponder. The 1623 oil painting hangs in the National Gallery of Art, … Continue reading
Save George Washington, get a statue – Casimir Pulaski
Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski was a Polish count who came to America to fight for freedom. He once saved George Washington’s life, but is best known for teaching American troops the discipline needed to fight the mighty British troops. Pulaski … Continue reading
Lincoln Cottage still a great respite
I have a secret – I’d never been to the Lincoln Cottage before taking a tour group. And it’s better than expected. Now I’ll leave the nuts and bolts to the website Lincolncottage.org. But a few things hit me during … Continue reading
A 3D map of town at your feet – Freedom Plaza
Freedom Plaza may be filled with skateboarding teenagers, lost tourists or protestors, but the Pennsylvania Ave. near 14th St. N.W. median is also a map of town’s original plan. The L’Enfant Map detailing the 1791 plan by Washington’s first city … Continue reading
We cannot tell a lie – GW’s birthplace is cool
Monumental Thoughts has a guest contributor – Megan Johnson. (Hey, we’re all for free labor.) A sprawling stretch of land along Popes Creek, Va., isn’t all that different today from when George Washington entered the world 284 years ago – … Continue reading
The Hall family and the angel
Mary Ann Hall was a popular madam in Washington, running a bordello where the American Indian Museum now stands. It was said to be the classiest one in Washington during the Civil War. Mary Ann and a sister are buried … 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
The memorial FDR really wanted
Name the five greatest U.S. presidents and Franklin Delano Roosevelt should make the list. Ironically, he received the least striking memorial until a second was built in 1997. But that’s the way Roosevelt wanted it. Shortly before his 1945 death … Continue reading
Posted in Monuments and Statues
Tagged best DC walking tours, FDR Memorial, Photo by Rick Snider, Washington
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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
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
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
