NIH Fellows
Handbook
Washington Metropolitan Area
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CrosstownArts
CrosstownArts is a group effort by people active in the
Washington, DC area music scene. There intent is to bring
together the many independent musicians, performers,
artists, writers, film makers that live in the area and the
nonprofit arts organizations that labor to help these
artists succeed. This World Wide Web site includes
selections in the performing, visual, literary arts as well
as arts organizations and venues such as music venues, piano
bars, museums, galleries, comedy clubs and theaters.
The Venue menu describes many of the museums in
the DC area:
- B'Nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-857-6583
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Farragut North
- Bethune Museum and Archives
1318 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-332-1233
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Fri; Sat. by appointment
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line McPherson Square
- Capital Children's Museum
800 3rd Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-543-8600
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed-Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Red Line Union Station
- Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-638-3211
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thurs
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Blue/Orange Line McPherson Square
- DAR Museum (Daughters of the American Revolution)
1776 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-879-3241
HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Fri; 1 to 5 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Farragut West
- Decatur House Museum
748 Jackson Place NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-842-0920
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon-Fri; noon to 4 p.m.
Sat-Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Farragut West
- Doll's House and Toy Museum
5236 44th Street NW
Washington, DC 20015
202-244-0024
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue-Sat; noon to 5 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Red Line Friendship Heights
- Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-544-7077
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Sat
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Capital South
- Fort Ward Museum
4301 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-838-4848
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue-Sat.; noon to 5 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Free
- Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum
Office and Archives:
600 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-789-0900
Historic synagogue location:
701 3rd Street, NW (Corner of 3rd and G Streets, NW)
HOURS: Sundays-Friday, by appointment only
ADMISSION: $3 per person (suggested donation)
METRO: Red Line Judiciary Square
- Library of Congress
1st and Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-707-5000
HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mon-Fri;
8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat-Sun
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Capital South
- Lyceum
201 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-4994
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-Sat; 1 to 5 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Yellow Line King Street
- Manassas Museum
9101 Prince William Street
Manassas, VA 22110
703-368-1873
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue-Sun
ADMISSION: Free
- National Archives
7th and Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20408
202-501-5000
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Green/Yellow Line Archives
- National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740
301-713-6800
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
- National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-272-2448
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Sat
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Judiciary Square
- National Gallery of Art and East Wing
4th and Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20565
202-737-4215
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Judiciary Square
- National Gallery of Caricature and Cartoon Art
1317 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-638-6411
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tue-Sat
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Metro Center
- National Geographic Society -- Explorers Hall
17th and M Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-857-7588
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Farragut North
- National Museum of American Jewish Military
1811 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-265-6280
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Dupont Circle
- National Museum of Health and Medicine
Walter Reed Hospital
6825 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20306
202-782-2200
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Takoma Park
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-783-5000
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat; noon to 5 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Metro Center
- Octagon Museum
1799 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-638-3221
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tue-Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Red Line Farragut North
- Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-387-2151
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue-Sat; noon to 7 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Red Line Dupont Circle
- Sewall-Belmont House
144 Constitution Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-546-3989
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tue-Fri; noon to 4 p.m. Sat
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Union Station
- Smithsonian -- Anacostia Museum
1901 Fort Place SE
Washington, DC 20020
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. 5 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO:
COMMENTS: Has one of the finest collections of art,
created by African Americans, in the city.
- Smithsonian -- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
1050 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-3200
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: Specializes in Japanese and Asian Art
- Smithsonian -- Arts and Industries Building
900 Jefferson Drive SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian
COMMENTS: Works of art by contemporary artists
- Smithsonian -- Freer Gallery
12th and Jefferson Drive SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-3200
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: This building physically connects to the
Sackler Gallery, also specializes in Japanese
artifacts.
- Smithsonian -- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
7th and Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: An impressive collection of sculpture both
classic and modern plus contemporary art.
- Smithsonian -- National Air and Space Museum
6th and Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: Spaceships and aircrafts plus the IMAX Theater.
The HOTTEST thing is the "spend the night in the
planetarium" you'll need to take child however. So gather
your pals buy a few sleeping bags, borrow a neighbor's
kid and have a great time.
- Smithsonian -- National Museum of African Art
950 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: Ancient African Art through to 20th century
artifacts.
- Smithsonian -- National Museum of American Art
8th and G Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red/Yellow/Green Line Gallery Place
COMMENTS: This is the same building as that of the
Portrait Gallery. This side of the building houses
American art produced over the last 200 years.
- Smithsonian -- National Museum of American History
14th and Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20560
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: Items from 200 years of American existence.
Railroad engines to computers to WWII and much more
including the art and mindset of each period.
- Smithsonian -- National Museum of Natural History
10th and Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20560
202-327-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENTS: This is the one with the big stuffed elephant
in the lobby. Great collection of dinosaur skeletons,
rocks and habitat simulations.
- Smithsonian -- National Portrait Gallery
8th and F Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red/Yellow/Green Line Gallery Place
COMMENTS: In the same building as that of the Museum of
American Art this side houses portraits of Americans or
portraits done by American artists.
- Smithsonian -- National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20001
202-357-2627
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Union Station
COMMENTS: Washington's first post office, now an active
historic site providing exhibits, lectures and special
family events.
- Smithsonian -- Renwick Gallery
17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-357-2700
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Farragut North
COMMENTS: A collection of Oriental and contemporary
American art and artifacts.
- Sumner School Museum and Archives
1201 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-727-3419
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue-Fri
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Red Line Farragut North
- Textile Museum
2320 S Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-667-0441
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat; 1 to 5 p.m. Sun
ADMISSION: Fee is charged
METRO: Red Line Dupont Circle
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW
Washington, DC
202-488-0400
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Smithsonian Stop
COMMENT: There is a link which connects the collective
memory of the American people with the horror of the
Holocaust. When rain soaks the ground at the sites of
Auschwitz, Dachau, and other death camps, shards of bone
and layers of ash work their way to the surface. This
same process is at work in our recollections of the
Holocaust. Americans have been unable to suppress the
guilt and horror that remembering the Holocaust
engenders, and have slowly come to realize that events
that occurred fifty years ago and thousands of miles away
demand accommodation in our national consciousness. The
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a facet of
official American memory fitted into the iconography of
the Mall in Washington, DC. This project explores the
nature of the Holocaust in the American consciousness
culminating in the formation and development of the
President's Commission on the Holocaust in 1978 and the
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, along with exploration
of the physical and emotional parameters of the museum
and the exhibit it houses.
- United States Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-737-2300
HOURS: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue-Sat; noon to 5 p.m.
Sun
METRO: Green/Yellow Line Archives
National/State Parks and Historic Sites
- Constitution Gardens
Washington, DC
The Gardens are located between the Washington Monument
and the Lincoln Memorial bordered by Constitution Avenue,
17th Street and the Reflecting Pool.
ADMISSION: Free. Permits are required for special events
and First Amendment activities.
METRO: Blue/Orange Lines Smithsonian
COMMENT: Constitution Gardens was dedicated in 1976 as a
living legacy garden tribute to the founding of the
nation with a memorial to the signers of the Declaration
of Independence. Constitution Gardens' 50 acres includes
a 6.5-acre lake and a 1-acre island. A Presidential
Proclamation of September 17, 1986, made the Gardens a
living memorial to the U.S. Constitution.
- Ford's Theater National Historic Site
511 Tenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-4833 Box Office
ADMISSION: Free. Admission to theatrical performances is
by paid ticket only.
COMMENT: The theater where President Abraham Lincoln was
shot on the night of April 14, 1865, and the house across
the street where he died early the next day are preserved
as Ford's Theater National Historic Site. The Site tells
of the assassination events, reminds visitors of the
troubling times this nation passed through and
perpetuates the aspirations and hopes Lincoln had for the
country.
- Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W St., SE
Washington, DC 20020
202-426-5961
ADMISSION: Free
COMMENT: Frederick Douglass, a former slave and one of
the most commanding figures in America's battle for equal
rights, lived at Cedar Hill from 1877 until 1895. His
fully restored Victorian home on the heights overlooking
Anacostia offers a panoramic view of the U.S. Capitol,
the Washington Monument and the City of Washington.
Visitors to the Site will learn more about Frederick
Douglass, his efforts to abolish slavery and his struggle
for Human Rights, Equal Rights and Civil Rights for all
oppressed people.
- Great Falls Park, Maryland
301-299-3613
HOURS: Open dawn to dusk daily
ADMISSION: Fee
COMMENT: About 15 miles from the Mall, at the end of
MacArthur Boulevard, are the Great Falls of the Potomac,
an excellent place for observing the fall foliage. The
restored 19th century tavern was an important stopping
point on the C & O Canal and is now a museum.
Woodland paths and picnic areas are further features of
the park, which is also a good starting point for hiking
or cycling along the towpath.
- Great Falls Park, Virginia
9200 Old Dominion Drive
703-285-2975
HOURS: Open dawn to dusk daily
ADMISSION: Fee
COMMENT: Excellent views of the cascading Potomac can be
seen here. The Park has a snack bar, restrooms, visitor
center, picnic facilities, and hiking trails. Fishing is
permitted, but swimming and wading are prohibited.
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Mall
Washington, DC
FEE: Free. Permits are required for special events and
First Amendment activities.
METRO: Blue/Orange Lines Foggy Bottom
COMMENTS: Designed to memorialize the veterans of the
"Forgotten War," the Memorial pays tribute to the men and
women who served in Korea (1950-53) when the Cold War got
hot. Consisting of a granite wall with images of military
personnel, a reflective pool, a flag and statues of
combat troops, the Memorial pays homage to Korean War
Veterans.
- Lincoln Memorial
The Mall
Washington, DC
METRO: Blue/Orange Lines Foggy Bottom
COMMENT: Constructed as a tribute to the slain President
who led the country through its greatest trial -- the
Civil War -- the Lincoln Memorial in West Potomac Park
features the famous statue that is 19 feet (5.8 m) tall,
19 feet wide and carved from 28 separate blocks of white
Georgia marble.
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic
Site
1318 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-332-1233
HOURS: Site and gift shop hours are: Monday to Friday, 10
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Summer hours are: Monday to Saturday,
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADMISSION: Fees for guided tours are $1 for adults; $.50
for ages 12-18; $.25 for ages 11 and under.
METRO: Red Line McPherson Square
COMMENT: The Site houses the Bethune Museum and Archives,
Inc., and is dedicated to the collection, preservation
and interpretation of African American Women's history.
The Council House was the first national headquarters of
the National Council of Negro Women and the last official
Washington, DC, residence of its founder -- educator,
organizer and political activist -- Mary McLeod
Bethune.
- National Aquarium
Pier 3, 501 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland
410-576-3500
HOURS: Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours
on Fridays and during the summer.
ADMISSION: Fee.
COMMENT: The National Aquarium is an exploration of the
realm of water. Docked nearby is the lightship
Chesapeake.
- National Mall
Washington, DC
ADMISSION: Free. Permits are required for special events
and First Amendment activities.
METRO: Blue and Orange lines to Smithsonian.
COMMENT: From the Capitol to the Washington Monument.
Rows of stately elms mark the sweep of the greensward, a
key feature of Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 plan for
the capital city. Footpaths, bikeways, information and
map kiosks, and refreshment stands adorn the mall.
Bordering the Mall are the Department of Agriculture, the
National Gallery of Art and nine of the Smithsonian
Institution's museums: Freer Gallery, Sackler Gallery,
African Art, Arts and Industries, Hirshhorn Museum and
Sculpture Garden, Air and Space, American History, and
the central Smithsonian Institution building.
- National Zoo
The Zoo is located in northwest Washington, DC, at
3001 Connecticut Avenue. It can be reached by
Subway
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Take the Red Line to the Woodley Park/Zoo or
Cleveland Park.
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Bus
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L2 and L4 buses at the Connecticut Avenue
entrance; H2 and H4 buses at Harvard Street.
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Car
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Parking is very limited. From May to
September lots may be filled by 10:30 am.
Parking fee is calculated by the hour.
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HOURS: Weather permitting, the Zoo is open every day
except December 25.
Buildings
|
Grounds
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Year-round
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May 1 -- Sept. 15 8 a.m. -- 8 p.m.
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9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise
posted
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Sept. 16 -- April 30 8 a.m. -- 6 p.m.
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PHONE NUMBERS:
General Information Recording
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202-673-4800
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Information Desk
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202-673-4717
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Guided Tours
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202-673-4955
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(Available on a limited basis, weekend
mornings only, with advance
reservations.)
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Zoo Park Police
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202-673-4731
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(In stormy weather, call here to see if
the Zoo is open.)
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- Old Post Office Tower
Rock Creek Park
Washington, DC
202-426-6829
HOURS: Open daily
ADMISSION: Free. Rock Creek Horse Centre on Glover Road
offers horse rentals and riding instruction. There is an
18-hole golf course with a greens fee, golf cart and golf
club rental at 16th and Rittenhouse streets. Reservations
are required for the tennis courts.
COMMENT: Established in 1890, Rock Creek Park offers 29
miles of hiking trails, 11 miles of bridle trials, horse
rentals, tennis courts, athletic fields, and dozens of
picnic areas. The Rock Creek Nature Center gives guided
nature walks daily and has nature exhibits and
planetarium shows. Demonstrations at Pierce Mill
illustrate the working of a 19th century gristmill. And
in Georgetown, tours are given of the Old Stone House,
the oldest dwelling in Washington.
- Sewall-Belmont House National Historic Site
144 Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20001
202-546-3989
HOURS: Guided tours and exhibits featuring memorabilia of
suffrage and equal rights campaigns, including busts and
portraits of suffrage and equal rights leaders. Antique
furniture. The tours are conducted Tuesday through Friday
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday and holidays
from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Dec.
25 and Jan. 1 as well as Sundays from November to
March.
ADMISSION: Free.
METRO: Red Line Union Station
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
80 miles southwest of Washington via I-66 and US 340
or via I-66 and US 211. 703-999-2266
HOURS: Open daily with museum hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION: Fee
COMMENT: Skyline Drive threads for 105 miles through the
Blue Ridge. The park has campgrounds, mountain cottages,
lodges, fishing, horse rentals, picnics spots, 94 miles
of the Appalachian Trail, and 200 miles of park
trails.
- Theodore Roosevelt Island
The parking area is accessible from the northbound
lane of the George Washington Memorial Parkway on the
Virginia side of the Potomac River. A footbridge connects
the Island to the Virginia shore. The Island is also
accessible to pedestrians via the Metro station at
Rosslyn and a 20-minute walk following city streets to
the Key Bridge where the Mount Vernon Trail begins.
Follow the trail to the Island entrance.
ADMISSION: Free. Fishing permits are required for persons
older than 16. Vehicles are not permitted on the Island.
COMMENT: Under President Theodore Roosevelt, the
Government became the chief instrument in rescuing the
public domain when more than 234 million acres were
reserved for conservation. These contributions are
memorialized on 88-acre Theodore Roosevelt Island in the
Potomac River.
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
ADMISSION: Free. Permits are required for special
events and First Amendment activities.
COMMENT: This circular, colonnaded structure, in the
classic style introduced to this country by Thomas
Jefferson, memorializes the author of the Declaration of
Independence and President from 1801-09 through interior
walls presenting inscriptions from his writings and a
heroic statue sculpted by Rudolph Evans.
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Mall
Washington, DC
ADMISSION: Free. Permits are required for special events
and First Amendment activities.
METRO: Blue/Orange Line Foggy Bottom
COMMENT: The mirrorlike surface of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial reflects the surrounding trees, lawns, monuments
and people. The 58,196 names of the killed and missing
are engraved in the black granite walls, creating a quiet
place to remember and honor all Vietnam veterans. The
Memorial also includes the Statue of Three Servicemen and
the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
- Washington Monument
Constitution Avenue at 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC
(Inclined pathways lead from the parking lot and 15th
Street to the entrance and elevator.)
202-426-6841
HOURS: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 8 a.m. to midnight in
spring and summer
COMMENT: In 1833 the Washington National Monument Society
was organized "for the purpose of erecting a great
National Memorial to Washington." Fifteen years later the
cornerstone was laid. After many difficulties and delays,
the building was opened to the public in 1888. An
elevator takes visitors to the 500-foot level. Return is
by elevator as well. If you wish to walk down the 898
steps from which the 190 memorial stones donated by
local, state, and foreign governments can be seen, you
must make arrangements before hand with the staff.
- White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
(Disabled persons may use the North Entrance on
Pennsylvania Avenue.)
202-755-7798
HOURS: Open for tours 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through
Saturday. From Memorial Day to Labor Day a ticket system
is in effect. Closed for official functions.
COMMENT: The White House has been the official residence
of every American President except George Washington, who
selected the site for the mansion. The original design
was drawn by James Hoban, an Irish-born architect. Burned
by the British in 1814, the President's House was
restored and painted white, thus is its current name. The
house contains furnishings collected by its occupants
throughout its history.
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Page last revised November 4, 2005 (sva)
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