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. 

Shall Not Be Denied - Women Fight for the Vote

Last week we went in to town to hear about Medevac at the Library of Congress. The program was presented by retired and active duty Medevac pilots through the Veterans History Project in the beautiful Jefferson Building. I used to walk those hallways almost every day when I worked at the library for ten years. It was a great way to see exhibits and get away from my desk. Since we arrived a bit early, we decided to take in the Shall Not Be Denied display. It wasn’t open the last time we were there - the final touches were being put on. So we wandered through to find out more about the history of the women fight for the vote. It almost seems ridiculous in this day and age that this ever was an issue. But times change and life evolves. These are all great reminders of things past and also what we should not take for granted. It’s one of the reasons we are glad we moved away from DC but stayed close enough to visit and so we could stay in touch with the exhibits and programs that other people spend a lot of money to travel to DC to see. And going back to the library is usually a pleasant experience. Every once in a while we will run in to a familiar face and chat. I still can’t believe I worked there. It’s funny how things turn out.