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West National Mall

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W E L C O M E T O W A S H I N G T O N !Washington D.C. is a thrilling and educational place to be. It is a wealth of American history both past and present.

While in the nation’s capital, be sure to visit some of the most popular government buildings such as the Supreme Court Building, the Capitol, the US Department of Treasury and, of course, the White House.

While in the area, be sure to stop at any of the National Memorials: the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Memorial and many others displayed throughout the city.

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for operating 19 museums which are all free to the public. There is something for everyone from history to science to art. In addition, the National Zoo is also free to the public and a pleasant activity for the whole family. Washington D.C. is also the national center for the arts. Come enjoy a play or listen to music genius. The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts supports the Washington Ballet and Opera as well as the National Symphony Orchestra. Visitors can also enjoy a night out at any of the local theaters.

Looking for a cultural experience while in Washington D.C.? How about food from around the world? That is what you will find in Washington D.C. Visitors will find the typical restaurants: Italian, American, Mexican, and Chinese. However, visitors can also experience Mediterranean, Cajun, Asian, Cuban, and French to name just a few.

Washington D.C. caters to visitors, tourists, politicians and government leaders. There are hundreds of hotel accommodations and services to choose from.

Washington D.C. is an exciting place to be. Come experience American history: yesterday, today and tomorrow. Enjoy Washington DC; we are glad you are here!

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1. National WW II MemorialThe National World War II Memorial pays homage to America’s “Greatest Generation.” They are the citizens who came of age during the Great Depression, and then served the nation on the front-lines and at home.

Construction on the memorial began in 2001 and was completed in 2004. The monument was funded by the federal government

and donations from corporations and millions of individual Americans.

Friedrich St. Florian’s design was chosen during a nationwide competition. Situated at the Rainbow Pool, the 7.4-acre memorial is almost equidistant between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The Memorial consists of two triumphal arches. One arch represents the Pacific Theater of Operations, and the other symbolizes the Atlantic. Arrayed in semicircular patterns near the arches are 56 granite pillars that embody the states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories that existed at the time of the war. There are bas-reliefs depicting combat and the effort on the homefront. The “Kilroy was here” talisman is inconspicuously engraved twice on the memorial.

The epicenter of the memorial is a water feature that incorporates the outline of the original Rainbow Pool. The western side of the memorial is called the Freedom Wall. It’s inscribed with over 4,000 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war.

2. John Paul Jones MemorialThe first monument to be erected in West Potomac Park is the memorial to John Paul Jones. Considered to be the Father of the American Navy, Jones was a naval hero of the Revolutionary War.

Dedicated in April 1912, the memorial is located along the north bank of the Tidal Basin where Independence Avenue

intersects with the terminus of 17th Street, SW. Listed on the National Register of the Historic Places, the monument is

comprised of a 10-foot tall bronze statue in front of a 15-foot marble pylon. The statue is the work of sculptor Charles Niehaus. Water flows into small pools on each side of the monument from fish-shaped spouts.

The reverse side of the marble pylon has a bas-relief that depicts Jones raising the American flag onboard his ship, the Bonhomme

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Richard. This is believed to be the first time that the flag flew from the mast of a U.S. Warship. When asked if he was willing to surrender during the Battle of Flamborough Head, Jones shouted his immortal words “I have not yet begun to fight.” His subsequent victory over the British man-of-war HMS Serapis was the first time a foreign warship struck their colors to the Stars and Stripes.

Jones’ marble and bronze sarcophagus is located inside the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, MD.

3. Japanese Cherry Blossom TreesIn the early 1900s, Eliza Scidmore spearheaded several attempts to introduce cherry blossom trees

along the banks of the Tidal Basin. She had first observed the trees while visiting Japan. During one of Ms. Scidmore’s fundraising efforts,

she contacted First Lady Helen Taft to share her idea. The First Lady had also enjoyed the trees when she lived in Japan.

Two prominent Japanese figures were in the District of Columbia during a fundraising event. One was Mr. Midzuno, the Japanese Consul to New York and the other was Mr. Takamine, the chemist who discovered adrenaline. Mr. Takamine asked the First Lady if

he could donate 2,000 trees to the effort. Mr. Midzuno proposed that the trees be a gift from Tokyo to Washington to symbolize the growing friendship between the countries. Mrs. Taft gladly accepted the offer.

The Department of Agriculture burned the trees when the officials discovered that they were infested with pests and disease. Mr. Takamine offered to donate 3,000 trees when he heard about the loss. The replacements arrived on March 26, 1912. The cherry blossoms are related to the famous trees that line Tokyo’s Arakawa River. The following day, the First Lady and the Japanese ambassador’s wife attended a ceremony where the trees were planted near the Tidal Basin. Each spring, these famous sakura are now the central attraction of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

4. Tidal Basin Boat HouseA fun activity while visiting Washington DC is to rent a paddle boat (peddle powered) at the Tidal Basin boat house. "Boating" around the Tidal Basin offers a unique view of the Jefferson Memorial and the Cherry Blossoms. The boats are rented by the hour and have reasonable rates. They offer two and four passenger boats and provide life vests. Note: at least one passenger must be at least 16 years or older. Paddle boats are not available for

rental between Columbus Day Weekend and March 14.

5. Tidal BasinMajor William Twining of the Army Corps of Engineers first envisioned the Tidal Basin in the late 19th century. Located in West Potomac Park, the water feature was initially named Twining Lake in the commissioner’s honor. The engineers constructed the basin

using technology that it perfected during Mississippi River projects. The interracial firm of Alexander and

Repass, a highly unusual business arrangement at the time, orchestrated the current configuration of the Tidal Basin shortly after the Second World War.

The basin removes silt from the Washington Channel and serves as a recreation area. During high tide, water from the Potomac River enters the Tidal Basin through inlet gates. The pressure of the water closes the outlet gates on the channel side of the basin. As the tide ebbs, the inlet gates close and the outlet gates open. The 250 million gallons of water within the reservoir then flow out through the channel washing away the sediment. The Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining the gates for the basin.

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