Easy trip into DC, now that I’ve done it once already. Made my way to the National Archives first,
to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of
Rights. The museum is more than that,
though; it shows how records are kept
and there are displays of fascinating original records including Abraham
Lincoln’s telegrams to his generals. In
order to actually access the archives, though, it is necessary to enter through
another door. I did not have any of my
genealogical records with me (too heavy to schlep around), but I decided to see
if I could find documentation of my adoptive father’s military service in
WWI. In order to search anything in the
archives, one must have a Research Card.
So I filled out some forms, handed over my ID, had my picture taken and
was the proud owner of my very own Research Card. After telling the staff the nature of my
quest I was informed those records are kept in St. Louis, Missouri. Yetch!
But the card is good for a year, so if I am so inclined I can return and
look for other things.
A few blocks away is the National Museum of Art. I spent a great deal of time with the Old
Masters and wandered through other galleries discovering artists both familiar
and new to me. I especially enjoyed the
Degas bronze collection.
Down the street is the Air and Space Museum. They say this is the most visited museum in
the world. The history of flight is
documented from the Wright Brothers to the conquest of space. I attended a movie about the formation of
stars and don’t think I missed a single exhibit. I enjoyed the history of spy planes and
looked closely at the Spirit of St. Louis, the subject of one of my favorite
movies.
I had originally intended to visit the Smithsonian Castle,
but it was nearly dinner time and I needed to return to the campsite. The castle will be first on tomorrow’s
itinerary, to be followed by monuments, I think.
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