Eisenhower Memorial

We’ve walked and driven by the construction site of the Eisenhower Memorial for about two years? It’s located across from the Air and Space Museum on Independence Avenue, not far from our old condo on Capitol Hill. The fence surrounding it was finally removed and the memorial was dedicated about two weeks ago and finally opened after being commissioned by President Clinton all those years ago. Last Sunday we drove by it and last Tuesday we decided to take our morning walk to it. What’s nice about it is that it is more like a park where one can easily pass through it without a lot of inconvenience. It even has a little outdoor shop and restroom - something quite unusual near the National Mall. The backdrop is supposed to represent the Normandy Coast, but it’s difficult to make out against the building behind it. It’s quite simple and pleasant all around. We have visited Eisenhower’s home in Gettysburg, and his boyhood home and library in Abilene Kansas on our road trip west to California. Eisenhower is probably the first President I recognized as a youngster. We will need to come visit again in the evening when the lights are aglow. It is supposed to be stunning - particularly the tapestry behind and the uplights from below. There was a lot of fuss about this memorial of which I don’t know the specific details. Whatever they were, you would never know it. 

Reagan's 1962 Willy's Jeep on the Mall

Last weekend it was President Taft's 1909 Steam Car, and this weekend it was President Reagan's Jeep. Cars at the Capital celebrates the historic vehicle association's love affair with the automobile. One unexpectedly comes upon the vehicle in the glass box in the middle of the national mall in front of the national gallery of art on one side and the Smithsonian and air and space museums on the other. Apparently this vehicle was driven regularly by Reagan while at the ranch in California. It is said he rode his horse in the morning and drove the jeep in the afternoon. I'm not sure when these vehicle displays started, but have only noticed them in the last two weeks. I wonder if someone stands guard over them when the sun goes down? I'm sure getting them here and hauling them back is no small affair. This is another reason we like living around this neighborhood. You never know what you are going to run in to next. A bit more exciting than living in a suburban Midwest neighborhood. 

The Lincoln Cottage

Our visitors from Milwaukee were not able to make the trip to DC this week. We already purchased four tickets to see the Lincoln Cottage. So as not to lose out completely, we decided to take the four mile ride to see what it's all about. I was a member of the Milwaukke Civil War round table, and over the years we have seen most civil war sites - but not this one. At one time, the ride from the White House to the cottage was thirty minutes by horse or buggy. On a Friday afternoon in typical DC traffic it took much longer. The cottage sits on a veterans cemetery and old soldiers/veterans home - still active today. The cottage itself was renovated a few years back. It has no furnishings, and inside photos are not allowed. Our guide was charming, and iPad technology was used throughout. I could imagine spending time in the sitting room on a sunny day with a view of the Capitol to the south. The life size statue of Lincoln and his horse gave it perspective, with lovely spring flowers in bloom. It was said Lincoln loved being here, and in fact was the day before he was assassinated. It was worth the trip, and I'm sorry our friends weren't with us. Maybe next time? 

James Garfield

Fifty years old is quite young, especially when I passed that mark twelve years ago. We were watching an American Experience the other day - saw one about the coal mines, and Bonnie & Clyde, and this recent one about James Garfield. I wanted to major in history before selecting nursing, so I find these programs interesting. And living in DC makes it very easy to stumble upon peculiar and real facts about all the people who walked the streets we now reside on. James Garfield was just fifty when he was assassinated. A very large memorial statue is situated right in front of the Capitol building near the US Botanic garden. We passed by him millions of times on our walks towards the national mall. But after watching the show, and learning more about this figure from Ohio, I couldn't help but take a closer look. To think someone can do so much in such a short period of time is impressive, regardless of your views on life. I wonder if any of his descendants come this way? In any event, it makes me wonder how every day counts, especially when I'm surrounded by such accomplishments. 

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address at the Library of Congress

Looking out the third story window of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building Great Hall yesterday I was transported back in time to 150 years ago. There on the east steps of the Capitol Building Abraham Lincoln gave his second inaugural address. I am certainly no expert on this subject, but always liked history. So whenever there is an opportunity to actually see items related to this and any other time period, I walk over to the Jefferson Building to see it. Working at the Library of Congress affords some very interesting opportunities. March 4th was the actual anniversary of Lincoln's second inaugural address - "with malice towards nine...." A complete copy of it was on display, as well as one from the printing office. Someone from California was waiting in line behind me. I was thinking how lucky I was to be able to just run over on my afternoon break to see the exhibit. What makes it more interesting is that I have a friend who actually "conserved" and restored this piece of work. It had to be one of the highlights of her career, but what makes it even more interesting is that there are only three degrees of separation from Lincoln, to her, to me! Living in Washington DC can oftentimes be a challenge and a frustration. But yesterday it was not.