Monthly Archives: May 2017

The Lincoln Memorial

On Tuesday before heading back to New York City on the train, I had time to visit the Lincoln Memorial. This is probably my favorite spot in all of Washington, D.C.

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The Lincoln Memorial as photographed by Fred Michmershuizen
Approaching the Lincoln Memorial with the reflecting pool on the right. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
Approaching the temple-like structure from the steps. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
A view of the columns of the Lincoln Memorial looking up. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
The stature of Lincoln. To his right and left are inscriptions of his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
A political protest in front of the Lincoln Memorial, one of countless demonstrations to take place here over the many years. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
Fred Michmershuizen
A view from the side of the Lincoln Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the middle distance and the U.S. Capitol building in the far distance. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
A view looking out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
This is the spot at the base of the Lincoln Memorial from which Martin Luther Kind delivered his famous speech. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

The signature of John Adams at the Declaration of Independence memorial

There is no memorial to John Adams in Washington, D.C., which is sad in my view in light of all that Adams did for our country. His signature is part of the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence, located on the National Mall:

John Adams signature in Washington DC

 

According to Wikipedia, there is a proposed Adams Memorial that would be dedicated to John Adams, Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams and other members of the family, but to date insufficient private funds have been raised to make the project a reality.

A visit to Mount Vernon

Also during my visit to the nation’s capital I made a day trip to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. I spent the whole day there and took several tours, including a boat ride on the Potomac. It was VERY crowded, almost like Disneyland. I got there via public transportation. It was Memorial Day.

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Mount Vernon photos by Fred Michmershuizen
Approaching the mansion. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

A view of the house from the drive. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

This is the view of the Potomac from the back of the house. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

Some of the gardens. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

There was no indoor plumbing at Mount Vernon. Martha would have used bedpans, but George would have come to the outbuilding. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

The property is quite extensive. The mansion itself is toward the center bottom of this map. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

George Washington’s grave. He and Martha are entombed in marble sarcophagi inside the brick structure. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

A view of the mansion from the back. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

Before Washington’s permanent grave was built, he was buried here. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

Across from Washington’s grave is the burial ground for Mount Vernon’s enslaved population. There is more than one marker, and the site was undergoing archaeological study at the time of my visit. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

One of the markers dedicated to the enslaved population at Mount Vernon. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

A more permanent monument to the enslaved people who lived and worked at Mount Vernon, and who are buried at the location. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

Another view of the mansion at Mount Vernon. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

The Washington Monument

When I arrived in Washington, D.C., after the dental convention, I had time for some sightseeing. It was a rainy afternoon. My first stop was the Washington Monument.

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Photo by Fred Michmershuizen
Approaching the Washington Monument. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)
The base of the Washington Monument. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

A view of the Lincoln Memorial from the base of the Washington Monument. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)

 

The Washington Monument as seen from the National Mall. (Photo by Fred Michmershuizen)