Skywatch

MPD Dispatch Tower reaches for the sky

Out walking yesterday, I realized again just how fond I've grown of the Metropolitan Police Department's dispatch tower on Georgia Avenue. It can be seen in upper Northwest Washington from as far away as the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. It's a point of reference in this part of D.C. and, combined with yesterday's blue skies and gauzy clouds, it makes a perfect subject for Skywatch Friday.

To view more than 300 submissions to this growing, global phenomenon, go here.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08

Renwick

I forgot to write down the name of this piece or its artist,
but I thought it was rather stunning in size.

The Renwick Gallery of Art at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. Built in 1859, it housed the collection of William Wilson Corcoran, a banker and philanthropist. Designed by architect James Renwick, who also designed the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, it is built in the French Second Empire style and features a soaring salon and intricate Victorian fixtures. When it opened in 1861, it was the city's first art museum. Shortly after its opening, though, it was occupied by the Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army as a storage place for records and uniforms during the Civil War.

L: Bureau of Bureaucracy : Kim Schmahmann
R: Shaker Television : Edward Zucca

In 1869, the building returned to Corcoran's care and he threw lavish parties and fundraisers. Extensive renovations were completed in 1873 and the building reopened as an art museum. By 1897, Corcoran's collection had outgrown the space and a new museum was built at 17th Street and New York Avenue NW--virtually kaddy-corner from the original space.

Ghost Clock : Wendell Castle : Tromp l'oeil in wood

The U.S. Court of Claims took over the space and eventually was going to tear it down, but First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stepped in and led the effort to save not only this building, but to preserve the adjacent square known as Lafayette Park. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson turned the building over to the Smithsonian Institution and it became a museum for "the arts, crafts, and design." The building was renamed the Renwick Gallery to honor its architect and it reopened to the public as a museum in 1972.

The Grand Salon in the Renwick Gallery of Art

If you're in Washington and you venture far enough to see the White House--which every tourist does--stop in and visit this gallery, as well as the Corcoran Gallery. Both provide a nice respite from the hubbub of the Mall and the White House and they contain marvelous pieces of art from all over the country and around the world. Of particular note, the Renwick houses three large, beautiful paintings in the Grand Salon by the 19th century landscape artist Thomas Moran.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Building

The Great Hall in the National Building Museum as seen from the mezzanine.
These Corinthian columns--among the tallest in the world--were inspired by
Santa Maria degli Angeli, a church built by Michaelangelo in the 16th Century in Rome.

Sorry for the lateness of today's entry. My dad came over at 5:30 this morning and we worked until nearly 3:00, then it was off to meet my mom to see my pictures in a photo competition I entered last month. Earlier this week, I was downtown getting a haircut and decided to take advantage of being within walking distance of the National Building Museum.

Built between 1882 and 1887, this structure was originally built to house the U.S. Pension Bureau. U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, who suggested the Custis-Lee Estate in Arlington as the location for a national military cemetery and who oversaw construction of the wings and dome of the U.S. Capitol, among other engineering projects, drew up the plans for this building, which he called his "finest achievement." It would also be the last building Miegs would build.

L: The National Building Museum from the west side.
R: One of four sculptures on the corner of the property of the NBM.
(Click images to enlarge.)

Unlike most of the buildings in Washington, which follow a Greco-Roman design, Meigs chose Italian Renaissance design and mirrored elements from 16th century buildings designed and built by Michaelangelo. The exterior perimeter is made up office and exhibit space, while the interior features a soaring great hall divided into three sections and separated by some of the tallest Corinthian columns in the world.

L: A bas relief frieze in ornamental terra cotta and painted plaster encircles the building.
R: Models of Eero Saarinen's St. Louis Arch and Dulles International Airport are part of an
exhibit about this future-looking architect. (Click images to enlarge.)

By the 1960s, the building was falling into disrepair and the government almost tore it down. Thanks to people with an appreciation for the building and some foresight, it was list on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1980, Congress passed an act mandating the creation of a museum dedicated to the art and science of building. Thus was born the National Building Museum. Today, it hosts a number of special exhibits, including a current exhibit featuring the work of architect Eero Saarinen. Saarinen designed the St. Louis Arch and Dulles International Airport, among other buildings, structures, and furnishings. The Great Hall is often used for inaugural parties and other events in Washington. Recently, it was the site of Hillary Clinton's campaign suspension speech at the end of the Democratic caucuses and primaries.

Another view of the Great Hall from the ground floor.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Benched

Benches for resting and enjoying a view of the Potomac on the
George Washington Memorial Parkway--a popular running, walking, and biking path.

Yesterday, my dad come over from the States to help me with my landscaping project. It's a damn good thing he did, too. Otherwise, I'd be nowhere near where we are this morning. We worked our tails off! So much so that this picture of these benches on the George Washington Memorial Parkway look quite comfortable. This popular running, walking, and biking path lies parallel to the Parkway and runs from just above Washington all the way to Mt. Vernon--14 miles from the capital city to the plantation of America's most beloved leader and first president, George Washington.

But, no rest for the wicked, as they say. It's 6:00 AM as I post this. Dad is on his way over again. We're going to work together until around 8:30 and then I have to bug out for a few hours. I have tickets to President Lincoln's summer cottage on the grounds of the Old Soldier's Home over near Rock Creek Cemetery. After that, it's off to the States and Tyson's Corner in Virginia where I'm attending a pen show at the Sheraton. Then it's back home to pick up where I'll be leaving off and helping Dad some more.

I'll be bringing you pictures from the cottage, the pen show, my landscaping project, and the Montgomery County Fair, as well as a new venture I'm undertaking in portrait photography, all next week!

Whew! What are you doing this weekend?

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Discovery

Discovery Communications HQ:
Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road in Silver Spring, Maryland

For a number of years, the City of Silver Spring, Maryland, was an industrial, rundown blight. Then, in the 1990s, Discovery Communications located their headquarters here and the area began a period of revitalization that has resulted in a downtown that is attractive and enjoyable. I was down there the other day to shop at Whole Foods and Panera and couldn't resist snapping this picture. To see a photo of Silver Spring every day, visit this City Daily Photo Blog. I think I've said this before, but one of these evenings, I need to go down and take pictures of this building at night. It's pretty cool all lit up.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08

Metal

Custom brass doorhandles on the Elizabeth Arden Day Spa & Salon

This month's City Daily Photo Blog theme is Metal. I was in D.C.'s Chevy Chase neighborhood yesterday afternoon to pick up purple food coloring at Sur La Table, (I made a purple velvet cake, for the record. But I digress...) and snapped a few pictures of various kinds of metal. These two pictures were my favorite. The first shows the door handles for the Elizabeth Arden Day Spa & Salon. I loved the bright red doors and the shiny, ornate brass handles and thought this was perfect for the theme!

Mall skylight...

The second one is the skylight in the mall across from the Mazza Galerie--one of only two shopping malls in the District. (The other is Georgetown Park Mall in Georgetown.) To see a few more photos, visit Standing Room Only.

To see more photos from this month's theme, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Happy Theme Day, everyone!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08

Signs

Dry cleaner on the corner of Georgia and Rittenhouse: They Martinize!

Yesterday's 2.3 mile walk took me along Georgia Avenue and past a number of signs on shops and in bus shelters. Here are just two of the 24 pictures I took before my batteries died, dang it all! I also had my first run in with the po-po (police), as the kids around here call them. I was taking pictures outside the offices for the Metropolitan Police Department's District 4 offices, when an officer came out and informed me that taking pictures of MPD facilities was a security concern and prohibited. Even though I was standing on a public sidewalk, I was gently admonished to refrain from any future picture taking.

Radio/dispatch tower behind the MPD-4D station

My point in taking the picture of the MPD-4D was to capture the radio/dispatch tower behind the building. When I first moved to my neighborhood, I hated that thing. I thought it was ugly and an eyesore. Over time, though, it's grown on me and I'm always looking for new ways to capture it. This photo is just one more perspective on what I now deem a cool tower and one of my favorite landmarks to look for on the D.C. horizon. To see other instances of this tower, go here, here, here, here, and here.

To see a few more of the signs I snapped yesterday, as well as one or two other things that caught my eye, visit Standing Room Only.


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08

Meridian Hill Park

Meridian Hill Park includes this beautiful stepped fountain. Built in the 1930s, it utilized concrete conglomerate--considered an innovative medium for sculpture and park fountains at the time.

Originally the site of a mansion built by John Porter, Meridian Hill Park in northwest Washington lies exactly on the meridian line surveyed by Benjamin Banneker in Jones Point, Virginia, in 1791 thereby setting the first official boundary stone for the District of Columbia.

In the 19th century, the park was the site of Columbia College, which later became The George Washington University. During the Civil War, Union soldiers camped on Meridian Hill. In the early 20th century, the land was bought by the U.S. government and plans were drawn up for a formal garden park meant to rival the royal parks and gardens of Europe. In 1933, the grounds were transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) and in 1936, the park was completed. In 1969, it was suppose to be renamed Malcolm X Park, but Congress wouldn't ratify the name. Still, some long-time residents of the city refer to it as such, while most newer residents continue to call it Meridian Hill.

The park includes statues of James Buchanan, 15th POTUS; Dante Allegri;
and Joan D'Arc. (Click on images to enlarge.)

For many years, the park was a lovely oasis in the city, but in the 1970s and 80s, Meridian Hill fell prey to crime and the drug trade. Open air dealing was not an uncommon site and the area was considered unsafe, especially after sunset. In 1990, a group of citizens banded together to form the "Friends of Meridian Hill Park" after a teenager was murdered in the park. Their work, in conjunction with the NPS, has restored the park to its former glory. Today, the park is again a clean, relatively safe gathering place for residents and visitors.

The stepped fountain as seen from the terrace above. Note in the distance,
the Washington Monument peeking over the top of the apartment building in the foreground.

The park features a beautiful, cascading water fountain and statues of President James Buchanan, Dante Allegri, Joan D'Arc, and an unusual memorial to an unknown Naval officer, William Schvelte. There is also a pavilion on the northeast side of the park and a temporary stage structure on the terrace above the water fountain. It is there during the summer months that a group of musicians congregate and beat their drums on Sundays.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08

Bench

Bench and shadow, Annapolis

I took this picture in Annapolis, Maryland. I figured it would be a nice counterpoint to my rather dull weekly posting of embassies and consulates.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 3/08

Bartholdi

The Bartholdi Fountain across from
the U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory

Located just southwest of the U.S. Capitol is the U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory. Across the street from that is Bartholdi Park. Prior to 1932, both the conservatory and the gardens were located directly on the National Mall where the Grant Memorial is now located.

View of the U.S. Capitol from Bartholdi Park

The central feature of Bartholdi Park is a fountain created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi for the 1876 International Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, PA. (Bartholdi was also the designer who created the Statue of Liberty--one of America's most beloved and lasting icons.)

This globe was one of several around the park with a theme of
environmental awareness. The conservatory is in the background.

The fountain weighs 40 tons and is 30 feet in height. It is symmetrical in three sections and features sea turtles and shells, sea nymphs, and tritons. The upper basin is surrounded by 12 electrical lights. Currently, the fountain is in need of repair and is not fully functioning, but in its heyday it was one of Washington's most visited attractions and one of the few that could be enjoyed at night.

Another view of the conservatory and capitol from the southwest corner of
Bartholdi Park. Note the Capitol Police car in the foreground. This is one of
more than 30 law enforcement agencies that have some level of jurisdiction
within the District of Columbia.

The fountain is surrounded by beautiful gardens featuring more than 10,000 perennials. There are benches and tables for enjoying the beautiful setting and the many varieties of flora.


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08

Line of Sight: Lighthouse

Line of site: Sandy Point State Park, Maryland

A few weeks ago, I stopped at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland on my way home from an appointment on the Eastern Shore. I have no clue whether this is an automated lighthouse in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay between the western and eastern shores of the bay or if it's considered a light buoy of unusual size.

My point in photographing it was less an obsession (or love. You decide) of lighthouses and more an attempt at practicing line of sight photography. The top photo is my favorite. To see larger versions of the thumbnails, click on each image to enlarge.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 4/08

Bay Bridge

Chesapeake Bay Bridge looking southeast from Sandy Point State Park

Spanning the Chesapeake in Maryland is the William Preston Lane, Jr., Memorial (Bay) Bridge. Approved for construction in 1927, the bridge was delayed for more than 20 years as a result of the Great Depression and World War II. Finally, in 1949 building commenced and was finished in 1952. Upon completion, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was the longest fixed-span bridge of its time in the world at 4.3 miles. The original first span was two lanes wide and cost $45 million to build. Today, this span carries traffic eastbound and is the primary route from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, and points west of the bridge to the shores of Maryland and Delaware.

In 1969 construction commenced on a second span--this one to carry traffic westbound--and was completed in 1937 at a cost of $148 million. The westbound span is three lanes wide. During the evening rush hour, one of the lanes is reversed and heads eastbound to accommodate higher traffic volume. (The picture to the left is of the three-lane, westbound span with all lanes open.)

Over the years, the bridge has weathered several hurricanes and high wind storms with little or no damage. Occasionally, drivers fail to obey the speed limits on the bridge or improperly secure trailers and spectacular, horrific accidents have resulted. The most recent was in 2007 and involved seven cars and resulted in three deaths. In 2008, the bridge saw approximately 28 million cars cross its spans. (The photo on the right shows traffic on the westbound span with the eastbound span to the left.)

For those who enjoy bridge walks, the Bay Bridge holds an annual event that draws walkers from all over the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. The walk has been canceled for 2008 and 2009, though, due to preservation projects currently underway, but when the weather cooperates, it's suppose to be a great way to see the bridge and the bay!

Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the parking lot of Northrup Grumman looking east

Click on the images to enlarge them.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 4/08

Red, White, and Blue

Red, White, and Blue: Red-roofed garage against winter's blue sky touched with a wisp of white

Last weekend, I went out on a photo safari. In my wanderings, I encountered this charming little garage. Its red roof against the blue sky caught my eye, so I snapped a picture. Can't tell you all that much about it, except that it's in someone's backyard just off of Wisconsin Avenue not far from WAMU and across the street from Fort Reno Park.

Oh, and by the way, yesterday's snow? Gone. All melted or melting today.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 1/08