Transatlantic Conversations at the Library of Congress

We usually attend programs at the Library of Congress when they are scheduled in the early or late afternoon. Mid afternoon is best for traffic and parking. Last week we received a notice about a program that was scheduled on Monday from 1030-1200. It sounded interesting so we registered for it in spite of the early hours. It was sponsored by the Kluge Center and it was about transatlantic conversations: lawmaking and representation in the US and the UK. The parking was just dreadful at this time of the morning. But we finally found something and walked through the construction zones to arrive at the front of the Jefferson Building. There was no line - which seemed odd - because you need to have a pass to get in these days, except if you are attending a program. Then I realized that the library is closed on Monday - except for the program that we would be attending. So there would be no walking through the great hall because it was all roped off. So we headed down the beautiful corridor to the decorative meeting room. There was a large group of high school students so the room was almost full. The guests were folks from parliament and the US Congress. It was an interesting question and answer session with Donna Edwards, Tom Graves, Steve Norris and Baroness Ann Taylor. We have been attending programs at the Library since I started working there many years ago. And since I retired we continue to visit whenever we can. It hardly matters what the subject matter is. It’s a nice getaway in spite of the traffic and construction. 

Library of Congress Program

It’s been over three years since we attended an in person program at the Library of Congress. We tried to attend one a few weeks ago but misjudged the time and it was pouring rain - so we turned around and went back home. And since then we got timed passes to visit the Jefferson Building - but that was to take photos for the weekly photo challenge. So it was with great glee that we registered for a program about Washington and Mrs. French and their land disputes. On our way to the designated room we found two people who weren’t sure where they were going. We were in an area where visitors were not allowed. So I asked them if they needed any assistance.  I told them if they were interested they could see if they could attend the program. They happened to be visiting from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When I told her I used to work at the library she was almost star struck - after all we were in the most beautiful building in Washington. So it turns out they were able to attend the program and also had food and drink - all for free. I think the best part of the day was the fact that these folks probably will always remember it. She had said they were at Mount Vernon earlier in the day and the talk was very relevant. It felt good to get back to some of the familiar things we always enjoyed doing. It’s hard to believe we lived on Capitol Hill and I worked at the Library of Congress. Lucky for us we can still visit any time we like. 

Library of Congress Kluge Center Program and Hawk & Dove

We have enjoyed going to the Kluge Center programs at the Library of Congress over the last few months and we are looking forward to hearing what 2020 will bring. Yesterday afternoon we took a ride in to the city to attend “Shall Not Be Denied” about women fight for the vote and 100 years of women voting. Christina Wolbrecht and Jane Junn were the presenters/authors in a question, answer exchange. The program was held in the Coolidge Auditorium in the Jefferson Building. So we parked in our old neighborhood on Capitol Hill and walked over. Somehow we missed autumn in the city, but there was still a bit of a reminder when we drove in on Independence Avenue. And, the squirrels are always so much more friendly in the city since they are used to a stream of visitors. After the program we walked over to Hawk & Dove for dinner - and waited for rush hour to subside. It was unusually busy and excessively loud. Sitting near the bar didn’t help so my husband and I basically looked at each other because it was useless to try and have a conversation. Events in the city bring out unusually huge crowds - something I try to avoid. In the end we were still stuck in rush hour traffic, but managed to get home in northern Virginia - to our own parking space - in good time. We much prefer the afternoon outings when we get home by three. It’s just so much easier and less of a hassle. I worked at the Library for ten years and it’s a great way to visit the city once in a while. Next week the Christmas tree arrives and the botanic garden becomes a fairyland. There’s always something to see an do - which is why we are glad we stayed nearby. 

Library of Congress Kluge Center - Ronald C White Leadership Lessons from Lincoln & Grant

Although we don’t live on Capitol Hill anymore, we still drive in to DC primarily for programs at the Library of Congress - and last weekend for the Nationals World Series Championship Parade. I worked at the Library for ten years, and it’s very comfortable navigating our way to it and in it. Before I retired, I set the Library emails to my address for library programs, check the website daily for upcoming events, and get reminders from Eventbrite if tickets are required. We particularly like going to the Kluge author salon offerings - a new addition since the annual Book Festival in September. The programs have been really good - most recently, President Garfield and Sandra Day O’Connor. The last program was about the leadership lessons from Lincoln and Grant by Ronald C White. The approach is a question and answer session rather than a droning monologue which makes it so much more entertaining. We usually arrive early and take the time to walk through the beautiful Jefferson Building main hall, but also to visit any new exhibits. Last time was the women’s suffragette installation; this time a display on Comic Art. My favorite view from the west side of the Great Hall is the Capitol building. Since this event started at four in the afternoon, we decided to have an early dinner at Hawk and Dove on Pennsylvania Avenue to avoid the rush hour traffic. I think we would miss DC if we moved too far away. Having access to the silver line makes the trips possible if we choose that route. But the drive in along the George Washington Memorial Parkway is so lovely. For now, we prefer the car. 

First - Sandra Day O’Connor by Evan Thomas

It was a delightful day. It started with breakfast at simply fresh in the neighborhood, and then a drive into town for a Kluge Center Author Salon at the Library of Congress.  We really enjoy the events at the Library and I got tickets for it a few weeks ago. Finding parking was beyond ridiculous. We usually park near our old house on Capitol Hill and walk the few blocks, like I did for ten years when I worked there. Finally we found a spot and saw a few Halloween decorations in the yards along the way. For all the cars there wasn’t much foot traffic. Whenever we enter the Madison building it brings back a lot of memories. I am very glad I had the opportunity to work at the library. This event was held in a room where I attended many meetings and there is an interesting view of the Capitol Building from the sixth floor. The question and answer session between the author Evan Thomas and his wife Osceola and the moderator about Sandra Day O’Connor was mesmerizing. It was perhaps one of the best events we have attended. Afterwards we walked through the cafeteria and I ran in to three of my past colleagues. It’s always so nice to see familiar faces in an otherwise hustle and bustle town. My husband always asks me if I ever miss working at the Library. And I always say it’s so much better when I can come and go as I please. It’s a great excuse to visit the city, and so very familiar. 

Kluge Center Author Salon Candice Millard and Garfield

We like to go to the events at the Library of Congress. I worked there for ten years and it is very comfortable for us to go to DC to catch the programs. The only difference is now we have to drive in from northern Virginia rather than walk two blocks from our old condo on Capitol Hill. Yesterday we went to the Jefferson Building to hear Candice Millard talk about her book about President Garfield called “Destiny of the Republic.” Of all the programs we have been to at the Library, this was one of the best. The exchange between author and moderator was practically seamless and the love she had of the subject was so obvious. The time flew by. On the way out we saw the Librarian Carla Hayden who was obviously there for an evening event  - a lot of people were arriving in evening attire. Rather than get caught up in rush hour traffic we strolled along Pennsylvania Avenue in this very familiar neighborhood and stopped in at Hawk and Dove to catch a bite. Afterwards we walked back to our old neighborhood and ran in to a neighbor who still lives in our condo building and also happens to work at the Library. We caught up on things and finally headed back to the car. We do miss our Capitol Hill neighborhood, but not the 1890’s building. You could say we now have the best of both worlds.