While in Washington DC last week, we were lucky enough to be able to visit the Library of Congress, and to actually tour the Reading Room (which is only open for tours on days when the Library itself is closed). The original Library was housed in a room in The Capitol, it is now spread out among three major buildings on Capitol Hill and several others scattered around the DC area.
In 1814, the British troops, in retaliation for a burning in Toronto by American forces, put the torch to a number of buildings in Washington DC, including the Capitol and the White House. Thomas Jefferson offered his book collection (he had spent 50 years accumulating over 6000 books, and it was intended to be part of the University he was planning), as a replacement.
In 1851, another fire destroyed 65% of the entire Library collection, including a similar proportion of Jefferson’s original donation. What remained is seen above. Part of the collection is Jefferson’s original possessions, part of it is period editions purchased to replace those lost in the fire, and part of it (the white jackets that can be seen) are volumes that are missing, but hoped to be replaced through purchases and donations.
The building was built around the turn of the century, and anyone spending time in DC should make room in their schedule for a visit.
Below are shots of the dome and the reading room
DC Visit - Pics
W and I visited D.C. in December 2005. I enjoyed it thoroughly!! It was the week before Christmas vacation so it was pretty desolate at all of the tourist attractions and I had most of the places to myself. The one place that stood out the most to me was the Holocaust Memorial Museum. I couldn't get through it without tears welling up in my eyes, many times. The "shoes" are what stood out the most. :'(
I talked Wendell into riding the Metro out to the longest escalators in the Western Hemisphere at Wheaton station. Getting him ON it, though, was not feasible. (He was scared!)
At the time we went, I was an Arizonian. So, D.C. seemed very COLD to me, weatherwise. Hence why I dressed up like an eskimo. Even my extra weight didn't keep me warm!! :-O Today, I'd be strolling along in normal clothes with maybe a hoodie if it broke below 30F, and I am much thinner so in a weird way it's easier to keep warm. 😀
Wendells favorite thing...the rest area with this mural. 😉
I found the Union Station ceiling to be stunningly gorgeous!!!
And I made friends with this guy... :-$
