Really nice museum now complete with a life size statue of Honest Abe himself. They give you around a half hour in the museum and then have you come up to the theater to hear the park ranger tell the story of Lincoln's assassination. Really well done and nice improvements to the site. After the theater we made our way out to the White House Visitor's center which featured a nice video about the unique imprint each president has left on the Whitehouse. After the visitor center we stopped for the front lawn photo stop and then off to the US History Smithsonian.
Kaleb figured one eye was enough to identify him in the photo.
The American History Museum
has had a phenomenal make-over since I last saw it. Their main feature is the actual Fort McHenry flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. We were once again, however, disappointed to not be able to find a Jazz exhibit at the museum. We thought the American History Museum would have one for sure. There was a cool portion of the transportation exhibit on Portland, Oregon. It had reminders of home like a Fred Meyers sign and the 7Up sign. Pretty cool. Another cool item on display is Colbert's portrait. One of the many heroes displayed on the walls of the Smithsonian.
There he is.
Portland display.
After American History Museum it was off to the Capitol. Before the capitol tour we checked out the Supreme Court building and Library of Congress.
Kaleb was too cool to sit down in front of the Supreme Ct. Building.
Library of Congress. Amazing architecture.
If you look close enough you can see some people you might know.
Once we got to the Capitol, we hit a little snag You cannot bring food, water, water bottles (even empty refillable kinds), aerosol cans (even sunscreen) into the Capitol. The only solution they gave is a garbage can outside. I am assuming these are safety precautions (although I don't know what I would do with a empty water bottle to inflict mass casualties). Since throwing out our water bottles, sun screen and snacks would have cost us quite a bit of $$$, I decided to hang back with the stuff and let Mom and the kids go. Ksenia decided to stay with me because she was tired and not real interested in seeing the Capitol. The tour took about an hour. While they where gone Kassie and I walked to a vendor and got a Coke. Then, while we were waiting Ksenia had fun feeding birds and squirrels in the area. After returning from their tour they said it was a little disappointing but had some cool stuff. On the way to the Capitol we were running short on time so we took a cab. On the way back though, we hoofed it. This was a long way and we were tired. Kaleb needed to see Grant's memorial for his National Parks Passport book,so we made sure we could see that on the way out.
Grant is the guy way behind Kaleb right above his head. We did get closer than this but no pictures. The last stop of the day was the National Archives. They don't allow photography any more so I do not have any pictures inside.
After we saw the Declaration of Independence, Original Constitution and Bill of Rights. We were now tired and ready to go back to camp to make dinner, and grocery shopping. Tomorrows our last full day in DC. We need to make the most of it as possible because it is our last full day. I am looking forward to Mindy and the kids seeing the changing of the guard at Arlington.
WOW another wonderful day in DC. I bet you all were in bed early.
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