Corcoran Gallery, Capital Hill, National Building Museum Hall.

 

Beautiful private gallery. In many of the rooms the paintings were displayed "salon style" rather than conventional 1-2 tier hung displays. Click here for more information on salon style hangings.

 

School children being taught how to appreciate art. Difficult to resist putting my hand up in response to teachers questions so decide to move on.

 

Rooms were also devoted to contemporary art and this is one of my favourites.

 

Very impressed with a special exhibition by David Levinthal who uses deep focus photography of plastic toy soldiers/figures to recreate historic moments. This series depicts Custers last stand.

 

Another picture of Custers last stand (with reflection of prints in background)

 

This picture of a soldier being hit with a bullet and flung into the air was recreated by suspending the plastic soldier on a pin and using puffs of flour to mimic the smoke of battle.

 

A recreation of the Nazi extermination squads going about their business

See more information about David Levinthal here.

 

Different perspectives of the Capitol. The second shows two of many Segway Human Transporters buzzing around.

 

The Great Hall of the National Building Museum. Tallest Corinthian columns in the world at 75 ft high and 8 ft diameter. Each composed of 70,000 bricks. The hall was built in 1882 and housed forces during the Civil War. Designed by Casper Buberl.

 

Attended a wonderful exhibition on one of the great building families of America. The Guastavino family from Spain perfected the vaulted ceilings seen in some of this countries greatest buildings - Grand Central Station, Penn Station, Carnegie Hall, Biltmore Hotel to name a few. Unfortunately no photography allowed.

 

For more information about the Guastavinos click here.

 

Last day in Washington and I farewell my local Metro station - U Street - which has served me well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Tidal Basin, the Kennedy Family in Georgetown and Union Station.

A man made creation of the late 19th century, the Tidal Basin is the site of several monuments as well as a great walk.

The basin with the Jefferson Memorial in the background.

 

Jefferson Memorial from a different perspective not often appreciate do.

 

I forgot my new shades.

 

The Roosevelt Memorial. I love these metal plaques and how the weather has altered their appearance.

 

I told these guys the memorial was shut but was totally ignored. How rude.

 

The impressive memorial to Martin Luther (I had a dream) King.

 

Excluding what is in the museums, this is Washington's oldest structure. This stone lantern was carved in 1651 and was a gift from the Japanese people.

 

It's bad enough that everything is closed due to the shutdown but the monuments are clad in scaffolding. Did not realise they had an earthquake in 2011.

 

Another excellent walk is the heights in Georgetown. Fashionable high status residents such as the Kennedy family helped to establish Georgetown as the social and political centre of the US.

Purchased by JFK in 1957 as a present to his wife on the birth of their first child, Caroline. Jackie renovated it three times in the first year.

 

The Kennedy family church, adjacent smaller chapel and dedication plaque.

 

Some Halloween scary bits on the doorsteps of Georgetown.

 

A typical street in Georgetown.

 

Hanging flower displays add a nice touch to the lamp posts.

 

Further homes rented or owned by the Kennedy family.

 

Jackie moved into this house with the children following the assassination. As you can see its right on the footpath and provided no protection from the press or public.

 

The Laird Dunlop House was once owned by Todd Lincoln, the Presidents son.

 

Balancing on such a ladder without a harness took my attention. The ladder was moving all over the place despite the counterbalance.

 

The beautifully renovated Union Station. Mixture of classical and Beaux-arts style. For more about the design click here.

 

Interior shots of Union Station - granite, marble, polished oak and glass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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