Capitol Visitor's Center

Emancipation Hall : Under the East Plaza : U.S. Capitol

As a result of several security incidents at the U.S. Capitol in the last 15 years and because of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the U.S. government constructed a new space for channeling visitors through the Capitol complex that allows for tighter security and regulated traffic flow. The result is the $621 million, 580,000 square foot (54,000 square meter) underground Capitol Visitor's Center (CVC), which--after six years of construction delays and cost overruns--finally opened to the public in December 2008.

Replica of the Statue of Freedom that sits atop the Capitol Dome

I generally try to be enthusiastic about things to see and do in D.C., but aside from the introductory film "Out of Many, One", the Capitol Visitor's Center is a disappointment. At least, it is if you recall a time when you could freely walk in and out of the Capitol and if you've ever been on a tour led by a legislative aide from your respective senator's or representative's office. Now, it's all very streamlined. You have to have tickets to take a tour--they're free, but reservations are required--and the process to visit the House or Senate galleries involves going through so many security checkpoints, it's hardly worth it.

Interior Dome on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol

While I won't outright discourage people from contacting their legislator to arrange tours of the Capitol, I will tell you the only advantage this gives you over the large, general public tours is you get to go to the head of the line and you're in a group that's likely five people or less. But those are the only advantages now.

Unfortunately, unlike in the past, you end up with the same tour as those who didn't contact their legislator. And that's the sad part. Use to be, when you contacted your state's legislator, you not only got a tour of the general areas of the Capitol along with the general public, but you got to see special areas like the Brumidi Corridors, which the general public did not. Not anymore. And that's a shame really. What should be the house of the people has become so buttoned down and sterile, it barely inspires like it once did. The saving graces of the Capitol are the Rotunda with the Apotheosis of Washington and Statuary Hall and that's about it.*

On top of that, there was a time when you could walk around the upper perimeters of the Capitol and enjoy spectacular vistas of the National Mall from the west side of the building. This is no longer possible and that, too, is unfortunate.**

The U.S. Capitol as seen from the newly installed East Plaza.
This concrete plaza is the roof of the underground visitor's center and replaces
a beautiful series of gardens and walkways that previously graced the front of
the Capitol--all for the sake of security.

A note to the CVC's personnel: Get your crap together on how you guide people through the coat check/electronics devices check for visiting the Senate and House galleries. Your system is confusing and unclear, your staffers suck and they yell at people needlessly. Trying to visit the Senate gallery was not a good experience.


* Maybe I've lived in D.C. too long or I remember too fondly what past tours were like. I'd still take visitors to see the Capitol, because you can't come to Washington and not see it, but for me it was a bit of a let down. Lots of sterile, contemporary grandeur, but no spirit.

** So much for not letting the terrorists win.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Repository III

Mosaic of Minerva outside the observation balcony above the library's Reading Room.

Returning to the Library of Congress, here are a few more photos from this beautiful building. I have nearly 100 other photos I could cull from and could easily post another 20 or 30 pictures of this magnificent building, but I'm going to end with this entry as there are other things I want to post in the next week. For example: information and pictures of the new Capitol Visitor's Center, photos from a two day trip I made this week to Williamsburg and Jamestown, some new strangers, and just stuff from around the neighborhood.

More art over a doorway. Also, notice the detail work in the lintel. Gorgeous!
(Click image to enlarge.)

Even the elevators are art.

Thanks to everyone who has commented on my LOC series. I'm glad you've enjoyed it. If you ever visit Washington, make sure it's on your list of absolute must-see places!

Detail in the marble carvings and a series of putti on one of the grand staircases.
(Click image to enlarge and see the detail.)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

200

Lincoln--Preserver of the Nation

Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of America's most loved president, Abraham Lincoln. My favorite memorial in all of Washington--and perhaps even the United States--is the Lincoln Memorial. Anchoring the west end of the National Mall, this temple to our 16th president is inspiring.

Statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol

Lincoln busts in the U.S. Capitol. On the left, as a young representative from Illinois and
on the right, as a wizened president of a nation divided and reunited.

The Lincoln Memorial isn't the only monument or homage paid to the Great Emancipator in the Federal City, though. In the U.S. Capitol, there is a statue of Lincoln in the Rotunda and two busts--one of a young Lincoln, the other of a much-aged Lincoln.

Lincoln in Profile

For additional information about Lincoln at D.C. Confidential, go here. Click images to enlarge, if you'd like!

Upon his death, Edward Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of State,
proclaimed "Now he belongs to the ages..."

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Repository II

Just a few more pictures of the art at the Library of Congress. Click each image to enlarge and enjoy the detail.




Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Repository

The Great Hallway in the Thomas Jefferson Building :
The Library of Congress : Capitol Hill
(Click on image to enlarge)

If America had a Sistine Chapel, the Library of Congress would be it. The LOC is made up of three buildings: the Jefferson, the Adams, and the Madison. The grandest of the three is the Jefferson. Built in 1870, the Jefferson Building features sweeping marble staircases, Italian-influenced carvings and sculpture, Renaissance art, frescoes, and mosaics that are breathtaking.

Art over doorways : Library of Congress
(Click image to enlarge)

To learn more about this national treasure, visit the LOC's website. Wikipedia also has some good information here. Over the next few days, I'll be featuring additional pictures of the world's largest book and media repository.

Hallway : Library of Congress
(Click image to enlarge)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Fate

Fate

For our visit to the Capitol and the Library of Congress, we parked the car in the parking deck at Union Station. On our way back to the car, Mary Ellen and I popped into the shops off the main concourse. As I was looking in a glass display case, I noticed a reflection of the skylights overhead. When I looked up, this is what I saw. I'm calling this photo Fate.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

Exaltation

The Apotheosis of Washington : Dome : U.S. Capitol
(Click image to enlarge.)

Today's entry will be brief, but I wanted to post pictures of the Apotheosis of Washington in the dome of the U.S. Capitol, which we toured on Tuesday. In theology, an apotheosis is the exaltation or deification of an individual, while in art it is a genre. The combination of the two generally results in a fresco like the one in the dome of the Capitol. The Apotheosis of Washington was painted in 1865 by Italian immigrant Constantino Brumidi. The fresco is 180 feet above the floor of the rotunda and covers more than 4,600 square feet. It cost $40,000 at the time; today, it would cost $535,000 to reproduce. (Although, knowing how the government works, it would more likely cost five times that!)

Constantino Brumidi's exaltation of George Washington--the Father of our Country--
in classical and Renaissance artistry.
(Click image to enlarge and appreciate the detail.)

For a full description of the content of the Apotheosis of Washington, visit the Architect of the Capitol's web page here or check out Wikipedia's description here.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

And Thus, It Begins

The U.S. Capitol Inaugural Stage: On Tuesday, Barack Obama and Joseph Biden
will take the oath of office here in one of the world's finest examples of peaceful transitions in power.

Yesterday afternoon, I wandered down to the east end of the National Mall to see the set-up at the Capitol for Tuesday's inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The crowds on the east end were impressive and the excitement was palpable. But it was on the west end of the Mall, at the pre-inaugural concert, that I should have been. (Although, I'm not a fan of huge crowds and this one was estimated to be nearly half a million deep.)

Check out these pictures from the Washington Post.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

Closed

Even if I had a tripod permit, it wouldn't matter.
At least, not until after January 2009.

A few weeks ago, the U.S. Capitol Police closed off the grounds of the Capitol on the west side of the building. Preparations are now underway for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. In a little over three months, we will swear in a new president and vice president! In the meantime, this is as close as you can get to the Capitol. Getting a tripod permit seems like a moot point for the time being.

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

In Triplicate

The U.S. Capitol at sunrise:
more than 200 years of making the possible, impossible
and occasionally making the impossible, possible!

One of the downsides of government, and therefore Washington, is how long it can take for things to change. While change is what most Americans are seeking, particularly in this election year, the fact is, change is a slow, painful, bureaucratic, legislative, agenda-driven, administration-policy process. Today's photos are an homage to that process. It's the same picture, in three different treatments. Sort of like a triplicate form.

Crystal clear, blue skies:
a metaphor for how Washington should work.

There's a joke in government that if you want something done, submit it in triplicate and pray! Of course, that makes government employees sound lazy and overpaid. In fact, reality couldn't be farther from the truth. Most of the men and women who make up the federal workforce are hardworking, dedicated people who want to make a difference. The backlog and frustration comes in the form of political appointees in the upper echelons of government who each bring their own agenda to Washington as part of the ruling administration.

Nothing is black-and-white, cut-and-dried in Washington,
but this is a nice picture, right? Do we need to convene a
committee and have a hearing to decide?

The result right now is, many federal programs and legislation are on hold or low simmer awaiting the outcome of the election. Who wins will determine the agenda and direction of Washington for the next four years. Those on the way out the door from among the Bush Administration appointees who want to leave legacies have staff scrambling to enact last hoorahs, while others are taking a wait-and-see approach hoping the Republicans will stay in power. Either way, most things are at a standstill right now. And what better way to portray the gridlock than with pictures of the Capitol, where most of the gridlock happens!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

SFM ISO Apartment

Single, furry male in search of an apartment...

When I was out on Capitol Hill taking pictures the other morning, this little guy took an interest in me and my camera and did a great job of posing. In truth, I think he was hoping for a handout. When he/she/it (how do you tell?) figured out I had nothing yummy to pass along, he continued on his merry way up the tree.

I love squirrels, but I know there are some folks who have developed a hate-hate relationship with them for various, valid reasons. Squirrels can be quite destructive. On Saturday I hung out with a friend who recently dealt with squirrels in her attic. Despite her annoyance with the situation, she managed to regale us with her story and we all had a very good laugh about the whole squirrel-in-the-attic debacle.

Yesterday, I sent her an email with this picture and the following text:

S:

I ran into this guy on Capitol Hill on Sunday. He says he’s in search of a new apartment living situation. I hear you have a recently vacated attic available. Let me know if you’re interested in a renter. I’ve attached a picture. He seemed like a sweet guy and said his hobbies, while low key, include things like late night tap dancing, people watching, and home renovation. He also mentioned something about nesting, which makes me think he might be looking to settle down, but you never can tell with guys these days! I gave him your number. No need to thank me! I live to serve and look out for my dear friends.

J

I haven't heard back from my friend. Hope that's not a bad thing...

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

Sister Cities

Memorial to the Victims of Communism

This month's City Daily Photo Theme is Sister Cities. CDPB suggested asking a friend in a sister city to take a picture for us to post on our blogs. Washington, D.C., has 12 sister cities and I'm sorry to say, I don't know anyone in any of these cities: Accra; Athens; Bangkok; Beijing; Brazzaville; Brussels; Chongqing; Dakar; Paris; Pretoria; Seoul; or Sunderland. Wanting to participate in this theme, I decided I could either take a picture of each country's embassy here in Washington or I could post a picture of Sister Cities International's global headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Both sounded boring, so I started thinking a little harder. I finally decided to focus on Beijing and Athens.

In the case of Beijing, I chose as my subject the Victims of Communism Memorial on New Jersey Avenue and G Street NW. Based on a statue called the Goddess of Democracy created by Chinese students during the Tienanmen Square protests of 1989, the purpose of the memorial is to teach "the history of communist tyranny...to future generations." The U.S. currently has no credibility in the world as a leader in solidly upholding democratic ideals and we certainly have little ground to stand on in calling out China and others on their lack of democracy.

Greek philosophy and architecture underpin the halls of our democracy

In the case of Athens, I photographed the U.S. Capitol with its iconic Greek architecture and the seat of our country's government. Our democratic ideals--when they aren't being trampled on by overly zealous politicians on both sides of the aisles--are founded in the philosophies and writings of many early Greek thinkers and a great deal of our architecture with its solid Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, pillars, and capitals are excellent examples of Greek influence in American life.

To visit other photo bloggers participating in this month's theme, click here.

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

Dinner

Solitary diner

I promise I don't have a culinary theme going on here, but yesterday evening I was out taking pictures near Union Station in preparation for September's City Daily Photo Monthly Theme. I decided to pop into the station itself to snap a few pictures and, when I looked down into the food court, this guy totally jumped out at me and seemed to yell, "Photograph me!" The best part was, he'd chosen a table right under the lights and there was no one else around him.

Happy Friday everyone!

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

Reflections

Capitol Dome as seen from the park to the north of the grounds

It was a beautiful night on Saturday, so I went out to take a few pictures of the full moon (minus one day) down near the Capitol. Unfortunately, I left a little too late and didn't get the moon closer to the horizon. I did, however, get a few nice pictures of the Capitol, as well as its reflection in--what else?--the Reflecting Pool. (Funny how names for some things are just so simple!)

Capitol Reflection

And for those of you wondering what I found out about the permitting process for use of a tripod on the Capitol grounds, here's what I learned. Last week, I spoke with a very lovely officer in the Capitol Police Department's Office of Special Events named Sgt. Walters. Officer Walters directed me to this link, where I've downloaded an Adobe PDF file and will be submitting a request for tripod use shortly. The bummers are these: first, I have to specify a date and time. I can't just ask for an all-purpose, any time pass. And second, I have to stipulate that any pictures I take will not be for commercial use or monetary gain, which I guess means I probably can't sell them. I need to get clarification on that last one, because if I can't sell them, that totally bites. So, there you have it.

Nearly full moon over the Capitol

As to whether a tripod was used to take these pictures and where I took them at as they relate to the aforementioned Capitol grounds, I'm not saying. As we say in this town, if I tell you, I'll have to kill you!

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

End to End

The U.S. Capitol around sunset.
I couldn't get any closer than this with my tripod.

Today's pictures aren't really that new in terms of content, but they are in terms of having just been shot. Starting on the east end of the Mall is the U.S. Capitol. I wanted to go on the grounds with my tripod and take more pictures, but I was accosted by the Capitol Police. They told me my tripod was prohibited unless I had a permit from the Sergeant-at-Arms. Total crock o' crap, but whatever. I'll go back during regular hours and get a permit.

The Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
This is the view Martin Luther King, Jr., looked out upon when he delivered his immortal
"I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.

After that little debacle, I climbed in the car and headed down to the Lincoln Memorial. The next two pictures are the result of visiting my favorite memorial in the entire city. It also brought me in contact with tourists and, once again, provided me with an irksome moment. So: rant alert. As I was photographing Lincoln's eastward facing facade, I overheard a gentleman telling his friends about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Said gentleman informed his friends that King delivered his speech near the Washington Monument looking westward toward the Lincoln Memorial.

It was everything I could do not to look at him and say, "Are you freakin' kidding?!" Instead, what I said was, "Actually, King gave his speech right here on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking out toward the Washington Monument. There's a plaque in the granite stairs up there," I gestured, "that marks where he stood."

Now, I don't expect folks to know every little thing there is to know about Washington, D.C., when they come here. For example, I don't expect people to know it was Daniel Chester French who sculpted Lincoln, or that the Washington Monument was constructed in sections, or that Franklin Roosevelt was the only president to appoint a full Supreme Court. But I do expect people to know what the significant buildings are and what important events happened in and around the city. In other words, I expect people to do a little homework before they visit a capital city. Whether it's Paris, Rome, London, Washington, Atlanta, Ottawa, Sydney, Vienna, Moscow, Toyko, Beijing, or wherever, please, I beg of you, do some homework before you visit these places. And if you live here, know what you're talking about before you open your mouth. Otherwise, you just look stupid.

Watching the sunset from below the Lincoln Memorial

Okay, rant over. Thanks for indulging me. And now for this last picture: a view of the Lincoln Memorial unlike most you've seen here. This was taken from halfway up the stairs that border the Potomac River to the west of Mr. Lincoln's temple.

To see more pictures from this evening's walk, go to Standing Room Only.

* * * * *

Oh, and apparently I've won an award from Rob over at Dusty Lens. Here are the details.

Rob from DUSTY LENS sent me this Arte y Pico Award. Thanks, Rob! The feeling is mutual!

1. You have to pick five blogs that you consider 'deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material and which contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language they are in.'
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given him/her the award itself.
4. The award winner and the one who has given the prize has to show the Arte y Pico blog so that everyone will know the origin of the award.
5. Each award winner has to post these rules.

My choices are:

Odessa Photo-a-Day
Tauranga Photo-a-Day
Cheltenham Daily Photo
London Daily Nature Photo
San Francisco's Fog Bay

Just copy and paste the rules above, copy, save, and paste the Arte y Pico award on the left and go pick your five!

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

Market

Eastern Market, South Hall. A fire destroyed the interior,
but the city is rebuilding and will reopen soon.

In an era of big box grocery retailers and high-end gourmet shops, one of D.C.'s finest culinary staples remains Eastern Market. The oldest, continuously operating market in Washington, D.C., Eastern Market is located on Capitol Hill and is an icon of constancy in a city where little remains the same for five minutes at a time.

Opened in 1873, the market building was one of several markets and buildings designed by architect Adolph Cluss. Today, it is the only market building left and still in operation in the city. Other markets exist, but not in buildings as special as this one. In 2007, an electrical short in the century-old wiring sparked a devastating fire that gutted the interior of the market. For a few tense days, residents around Capitol Hill and consumers of Eastern Market vendors and wares from across the city feared the building would be condemned and razed. Fortunately, public opinion, outcry, and appreciation prevailed and the city committed to rebuild.

Tight shot of the temporary market hall built by the city while
restoration and reconstruction work are ongoing on the South Hall.

Currently, the vendors of the South Hall are in a temporary structure across the street called the East Hall. The farmers who ply their produce still set-up on the sidewalk outside the original building, while reconstruction goes on inside. The lines for blueberry pancakes at Market Lunch are still many minutes long and out the door on Saturday mornings. Any fear that the Eastern Market would fade into extinction like its counterparts across the city have been squelched and the market is well on its way to returning to iconographic status and bustle in the very near future.

Left to right: Tile pattern outside Ben & Jerry's;
beautiful hydrangeas around the patio of an outdoor cafe;
and a lovely rose in bloom in the garden of one of the many historic homes in the area.

When you visit D.C., plan to have breakfast at the market on a Saturday. It'll be the best D.C. buzz and neighborhood energy you'll get anywhere! In addition to the market, the surrounding blocks feature great old homes, quirky businesses, and a few unique architectural features like the art deco building that houses the bakery and coffee shop Bread & Chocolate.

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

The Bard

The Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill

Located on Capitol Hill with a view of the U.S. Capital and a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the Library of Congress is the Folger Shakespeare Library. The library opened in 1932, a gift from Henry Clay Folger and his wife Emily Jordan Folger who were collectors of Shakespeare's works. It contains one of the largest and finest collections in the world of the Bard's writings.

The Tragedies of Ivlivs Caeser

The Folger is open to the public and includes a bookstore, several exhibitions, and a theater. The library also has special reader access for scholars who are either pursuing a Ph.D. or who have a doctorate.

Top left: Detail from A Midsommer Night's Dream, top right: Romeo and Juliet
Bottom left: Detail from The Merchant of Venice, bottom right: The Tragedies of Richard the III

If you love Shakespeare, be sure to visit the Folger when you're in town! And, if you want to catch a performance of Shakespeare, several venues in the area stage the Bard's works, including The Kennedy Center, Carter-Barron Amphitheater, Wolf Trap for the Performing Arts, and The Shakespeare Theater Company, to name only a few.

Shakespeare in bas relief

And since you know you cannot see yourself,
so well as by reflection, I, your glass,
will modestly discover to yourself,
that of yourself which you yet know not of.
- William Shakespeare

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