Postcard from Washington DC: Part I

Posted on 26/07/2022 by

40 Comments

With time at a premium in Washington, aside from visiting the Library of Congress, we just generally walked around the city looking at all its monuments, parks and civic splendours, roughly following a walking map I found online (below).  

Washington DC, the US capital, is an interesting albeit compact city. Its museums, important buildings and memorials are all set in parkland on the banks of the Potomac River. Consequently, it’s easy to walk around. It’s what you might call a planned city, designed as the seat of government over 200 years ago. Its core is the triangle created by the US Capitol, the White House and The Mall, known as Federal Triangle.

Washington DC Walking Map

Memorial Parks and the National Mall

The memorials are listed below roughly in the order we found them as we walked in a counter-clockwise direction. The loop from the Washington Monument to all the memorials is only about 5km (3 miles). The distance around the rectangle called “The Mall” between the Washington Monument and the US Capitol is a similar distance. Many of the Smithsonian Museums are on The Mall along with the National Gallery of Art.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument stands  170 metres (555 feet) tall and is our perfect first stop to get an overall view of the area. The original steam powered elevator took 10-12 minutes to reach the top. I consider that a much better option than climbing the 896 steps to the top. The monument’s stones are two different colours illustrating he two phases of construction. When completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world.

World War II Memorial

National World War II Memorial | Washington DC

Dedicated in 2004, the stunning memorial is made of white marble. It honours the sacrifices of both the American people at home, supporting the war effort, and the 16 million who served overseas.  The Freedom Wall’s gold stars commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the war.

On the west side of the memorial is the Freedom Wall of 4,048 gold stars. Each star represents 100 Americans who died in the war. Under each of the Pacific and Atlantic pavilions four eagles carry an oak laurel wreath. Between the pavilions are 56 pillars, one for each US state and territory.

Constitution Gardens

Photos at Constitution Gardens - Garden in Washington

 

The lake in Constitution Gardens is about the size of 6 US football fields. This 50-acre garden and lake, a bicentennial project, commemorates American independence.  A monument, on the island in the middle of the lake, honors the 56 signatories of the American Constitution. Military headquarters buildings occupied this spot until the 1970s.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Bailey Dowlin Art

Two black-granite walls, each about 76 metres (250 ft) long, form a “V”. The names of the more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing are etched into the walls in the order they died or disappeared. The walls point to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. This sombre subtle memorial was dedicated in November 1982.

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln memorial in Washington DC, USA

Dedicated in 1922, this memorial to the 16th US President is housed in huge Greek temple. Each of its 38 columns is 13 metres (44 ft) tall and 2 metres (7.5 ft) across. Inside the memorial is the above statue of Abraham Lincoln. His famous Civil War Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural speech are engraved on the north and south walls. While there’s an engraving on the monument’s steps noting the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 overlooking the reflecting pool.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Washington DC: Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool fro… | Flickr

Constructed in 1922/23, the pool is 610 metres (2,000 ft) long and 50 metres (165 ft) wide.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington - DC | Roadtrippers

Dedicated in 1995, the memorial commemorates the sacrifices of 5.8 million American service members during the Korean War (1950 to 1953). On the walkway between the mural wall and the advancing soldiers are markers listing the 22 nations who provided troops to the United Nations efforts. There are nineteen stainless steel foot soldiers, in full battle gear. They advance through Juniper bushes separated by granite strips representing the rice paddies of Korea. The figures showcase both the various branches of the armed forces and the ethnic cross section of America. The reflective wall beside the statues is 50 metres (164 ft) long. The etchings on the wall are from hundreds of photos from the war.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

brown concrete statue during daytime photo – Free Usa Image on Unsplash

Two blocks of granite called the Mountain of Despair flank a 9 metre (30 ft) tall sculpture of MLK whose quotes are inscribed on the walls around the memorial. It was dedicated in 2011, the 48th anniversary of the August 1963 “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Best Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Tours & Tickets - Book Now

This is a unique memorial to the longest-serving (four-terms) US president (1933 to 1945). The two-term limit for US Presidents became law shortly after his death.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Statue Photo stock - Image du célèbre, blanc: 69267428

The bronze statue of Jefferson in the open air rotunda depicts him holding the Declaration of Independence in his hand. The memorial honours the third president, drafter of the Declaration of Independence and founder of the University of Virginia.  Dedicated in 1943, its design resembles his library at the university.

Ulysses S Grant Memorial 

You cannot miss the statue of General Ulysses S Grant on his war horse at the east end of The Mall.  Dedicated in 1922, the memorial honours the Civil War general and 18th US president.

Our perambulations continue tomorrow…..

Category: The Americas, TravelTags:

40 Comments on “Postcard from Washington DC: Part I”

  2. Beautiful pictures, my first trip there was a high school class trip to the Smithonian Institution museums! Then came back several times even drove by it. It is a city done the French way of straight lines and inspired by Pierre Charles L’Enfant a trusted city planner of George Washington which I passes by L’Enfant square for the thrill of it. Thanks for the memories! Cheers

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  3. People have used the Lincoln Memorial as a back drop when they have not been allowed in other venues such as Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Hall. Jefferson’s original place for his library was in the top floor of UVA’s main building, the Rotunda. It was what looks like a Cupola. There are now several libraries on the University Grounds as they call their campus.

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  8. Nice post, Sheree. I think I remember most the Vietnam Memorial, so well done and a sobering tribute to the thousands of young lives taken too soon (as with all wars, sadly). I was in tears by the end.

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  13. Hi Sheree,

    Awesome snaps. I visited DC with the fam some 30 years ago. We had a fun time. These days we have been driving around the city on I-95 as we head south to visit relatives in the South. Really neat place.

    Ryan

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