The National Archives is a bombproof and nearly fireproof facility that protects the nation's most treasured documents. The methods used for storing the documents securely are almost as interesting as the documents themselves. Sealed glass vaults are raised into the exhibition areas for viewing each day but sink back into safety each night. Here, you will find the most significant of our national documents--the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Further, the other documents and artifacts housed here are copies of the Magna Carta and the Emancipation Proclamation.
From beneath the 90-foot (30-meter) portico, lies an expanse of sloping lawn along the Potomac River as it flows past Mount Vernon. This 17th-century plantation house was once home to the first President of the United States, George Washington. The property was originally owned by Washington's father, Augustine, and George replaced a smaller, more modest home with Mount Vernon when he came into the property, beginning in 1758. Today, costumed guides narrate the history of the elegant mansion and of the surrounding buildings, which have been preserved to reflect the days when the first president resided here. The state also features tours around the 500-acre (200-hectare) estate, including its surrounding buildings, and historic exhibits that recreate farming techniques and colonial games. Awash in elegant semblances of Palladian architecture, Mount Vernon is a treasured centerpiece of history and culture.
Spread across 153 acres (61.92 hectares) of lush greenery and landscaped gardens, the Rockville Civic Center Park is a must visit when in the city. Comprising of the Glenview Mansion, Croydon Creek Nature Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater and the Social Hall, this tourist attraction is used for many occasions such as cultural and major events. The Classic Revival mansion built in 1926 is now the home of the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery and is available for conferences, weddings and holiday parties. Formerly the Glenview Farm, the Civic Center Park also has various facilities like picnic tables, nature trails, walking paths, climbing walls, playgrounds, tennis courts, open spaces, grill areas and a wildlife sanctuary. The Glenview Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Surrounded by a scenic park, the Gulf Branch Nature Center of Arlington offers a number of interesting and educational programs and activities. The friendly and knowledgeable staff here will introduce you to the regional flora and fauna along with the natural history of the area here. After a tour of the center, go for a hike a on the trails in the park, visit the pond and check out the splendid gardens. You'll find details about upcoming events and other park features on their website.
A famous research library and museum, located in Washington DC, the Dumbarton Oaks Fellowship House is as renowned among the general public as it is with educationists and researchers. This historic property is situated in the upscale Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC and has been the living quarters of Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, also founders of the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. The property was acquired by the prestigious Harvard University in 1940. The institute specializes in fellowship and specialization programs in the fields of landscape design and architecture, garden designing, Pre-Columbian and Byzantine empire studies. The research library and institute feature sprawling lush green gardens within its premises. The garden, museum, and the music room are open for public visits at this prestigious place.
Originally intended as a small reference library, the Library of Congress is now home to the second-largest collection of books and reading materials in the world, second only to the British Library. The collection comprises close to 100 million items, including rare documents such as the Gutenberg Bible, early drafts of the Declaration of Independence, and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The splendor of the magnificent Main Reading Room is just one of the attractions worth a visit at the Library of Congress. Browse through the many excellent exhibits on display in the library's three buildings, participate in a guided tour, or attend any of the concerts, lectures, and other events hosted here. The library's collection is open to all who hold a valid Reader Identification Card; however, materials cannot be taken outside the library premises. Other than the mind-blowing collection on display, the interiors of this centuries-old building are equally mesmerizing. Huge, vaulted ceilings with classic frescoes and designs, ivory pillars of Greek design, and the irreplaceable heritage surrounding the place make it one of the most iconic locations in the country.