Arriving in D.C.

BY JULIETTE GARCIA       Washington, District of Columbia, what an experience! Arriving on Thursday January 2, 2020 my family and I had the weekend to explore Washington D.C. as tourists before starting my internship at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Never having been in the East Coast, my family and I were eager to engage in as many famous/historical sights as possible.  On Friday January 3rd, my family and I woke up in our airbnb on the border of Virginia and Georgetown, D.C.. We decided we wanted to spend some time locally to where we were staying. Therefore, we spent some time exploring Georgetown. Georgetown is a historic neighborhood and a commercial and entertainment district that is located in northwest Washington, D.C., along the Potomac River. Georgetown was founded in 1751. Georgetown is known to be the home of the main campus of Georgetown University and numerous other landmarks, such as the Old Stone House, which was  Washington's last Pre-Revolutionary colonial building in Washington. As well as home to the embassies of Cameroon, France, Kosovo, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela are located in Georgetown. Georgetown is now considered a National Historic Landmark District due to its incredible historical significance.      There, I was in complete awe of the architecture of the buildings and ambiance of the environment. The Georgian/Victorian homes and buildings were even more beautiful than I imagined them to be.  Georgetown was semi quiet, but quite interesting to see the simplicity and normality of day-to-life in Georgetown opposed to the National Mall and Downtown D.C.. Visitors can expect Georgetown to be exactly what they might have imagined for East Coast style homes.      In Washington D.C., the roads can get fairly crowded. Therefore, I noticed while transitioning through the city, public transit as well as walking are the best methods of transportation. The metro has man lines throughout the city at low cost, it is easily accessible and not hard to navigate through. Walking will get you to destinations quicker than waiting for an uber or taxi to drive you through traffic. So far, I have noticed many professionals and locals using public transportation more than tourists.  The following days, my family and I spent a great deal of time on the National Mall.  National Mall is home to iconic monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, and several of the Smithsonian Museums. It is at the eastern end of the U.S. Capitol, and north of the White House. It also is located nearby, the Tidal Basin reservoir, which is known for its blossoming cherry trees. Here you engulfed by endless amounts of history. While visiting the National Mall, my family and I visited the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, The Capitol, the National Museum of American History, the Nation Museum of Natural History and the White House. Thankfully, the National Mall is open to the public 24/7, and all of these activities so far have been free of charge. Being open 24/7, the National Mall invites visitors from all around the world to come and enjoy/engage with the memorials and most of the museums for free and at your own pace. By having these historical sites, memorials, and museums open to the public it allows people from the United States, as well as other Nations feel welcomed to learn more about the past. The United States is unique in the sense that the “American Dream,” has allowed people from all around the world to travel to the US in hopes of creating a better life. With that dream their histories become a part of America’s history, thus there is a history related to others around the world.       For example, when visiting the Lincoln Memorial, you first have to venture up many sets of elongated stairs until you reach the top of the memorial. Once you’ve made it to the top the Greek styled pillars give you a sneak peek into the enlarged Lincoln. Stepping through you are welcomed by Lincoln sitting down in a caramelized marble room. Around the room are quotes from Lincoln, including the Gettysburg Address. Here you can really feel a sense of national pride. I personally felt inspired by the memorial, as if I was in the early 19th century and Lincoln was speaking directly to me.      For others, the Lincoln Memorial as well as all the other memorials are just another photo opportunity. This is because although it is quite intriguing, the memorial itself does not offer extensive tours or history lessons, therefore there is no reason to really engage with the  memorial after you’ve gotten a few photos. Yet, while this is the case, there is a museum below the memorial that allows a more engaging and thorough tour that analyzes Lincoln and his accomplishments. This is presented through photos, sayings, a memorial gift shop and interactive activities. This form of public history allows people to stay longer and thinking about history. For those open minded to being educated by the experience, they could expect to get a real glance of the influence of Greek architecture to the memorial. The memorial is similar to the Parthenon in Greece. The illusion of the memorial creates a temple-like atmosphere that allows visitors to really appreciate, understand and commemorate Lincoln. Not only can you learn and appreciate more about Lincoln, but American History in general. The memorial has become a place of gathering for many past historical events such as MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Therefore, walking up the steps of the memorial and reaching the top to gaze at the National Mall, you place yourself in the shoes of all the people and events that came before us.      Washington D.C. offers endless amount of opportunity to engage with the past through public museums, monuments, memorials, and parks. The city is diverse with Americans and tourists from all around the world. Visiting all these historical sites connects people of all different backgrounds with the past by placing them into the shoes of those who walked these lands before us.