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OTHER SPECIALTY TOURS
Water, Water, Everywhere...And All the Things to See Like other population centers, the location of Washington, DC was largely influenced by its access to water routes, and by the availability of water for daily living. “Water” has shaped Washington. But there is another aspect to “Water in Washington”—its artistic use in the memorials and fountains that are such an integral part of the Washington landscape that we know today. This tour will focus on the sights that are familiar to many Americans, but will show us “another side of Washington.”
Peril on the Potomac: Washington During the Civil War The Civil War brought into question not only the future of the country, but also the safety of the Federal capital. From 1861 to 1865, Washington grew from a sleepy backwater Southern city to a bustling government and military complex, filled with Union troops, runaway slaves, and Confederate spies. Much of the legacy of this momentous period in the history of our nation’s capital is still with us today, as we will see with our tour of Washington area Civil War sites.
Titans of Their Time: Lincoln, Lee, and Frederick Douglass The four year struggle between the North and the South was the backdrop where the fortunes and future of three great men converged. Each was a man of great accomplishment who made an enormous impact on the country, and each has sites today in the Washington area which commemorate their contributions.
Washington at War: Military Landmarks The entire country is affected when a nation goes to war, but no other city experiences the profound changes of the nation’s capital. Washington has been invaded by foreign troops (the War of 1812), threatened by secessionist troops (the Civil War), and has repeatedly faced a dramatic invasion of hordes of wartime government workers, commercial suppliers, and military planners. We will see how over 200 years of history involving wars, large and small, have made their mark on present day Washington.
During
the nation’s major wars, Washington has probably experienced
the greatest number of lasting changes. The legacy of World War
II is still around us in Washington. It lives in the memories of
our veterans, and will be climaxed by the dedication of the World
War II Memorial.
It was no accident that the location selected for the new national capital was served by two rivers. The early history of Washington was closely linked with its waterways, and key to this linkage has been the development of the US Navy. Washington has a long and distinctive naval history, one reflected in its museums and memorials. The Washington Navy Yard, the US Navy’s oldest shore establishment, has a proud history, first as a shipbuilding facility, and later as a major ordinance production factory. Today, in addition to its administrative and supply functions, it houses two major museums highlighting the contributions of the Department of the Navy.
The Remarkable Women of Washington Throughout our country’s history, strong-willed women have made an impact on society during their lifetimes and left a legacy for future generations. The lives of three such women (Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross; Mary McLeod Bethune, African-American educator; and Alice Paul, founder of the National Woman’s Party) can be explored in sites in and near Washington, DC.
“Undiscovered Gems” of Washington We can live for years and even decades in the Washington area, and not realize the wealth of historical and cultural sites “off the Mall.” We will explore some of these locations, and see statues, memorials, and museums that you may not even know are here. Learn more about the city that you thought you knew so well!
African-American History of Washington There is a rich historical, social, and cultural heritage in Washington that extends beyond the memorials and the marble government buildings: that of the African-American community. We will visit some of the many sites in Washington that reflect both the struggles and the contributions of this major element of our shared past, and learn about individuals, well-known and lesser-known, who contributed to our national heritage.
Things That Went Bump in the Night—in DC Strange,
mysterious, and intriguing events have taken place in the city along
the Potomac over its two hundred year history.
Landmarks of Love—Romance Along the Potomac Not “scandal,” but true love and “romance.” Yes, these are to found in Washington, and among some of the most famous names ever to walk our streets. These romances may not have made headlines, but their stories are a legacy of days gone by, lives lived, and the great passions that flourished in the midst of the national capital.
First Ladies—The Role of a Lifetime From Martha to Laura, the women who have come to Washington to support their husbands during their time in the White House have been many and diverse. We will explore sites associated with some of the Presidential wives, and hear tales of extraordinary women who left a mark on Washington.
Eleanor and Jackie: Two Memorable Women Of all the Presidential wives, few evoke the recognition and respect accorded these two very different women of the mid-20th century. Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy were totally different personalities who followed different paths in life, but both had a great impact on Washington, DC as well as the rest of the country.
Beyond the government buildings, the museums, and the memorials, Washington is a city of majestic residences. We are fortunate that the public can visit many of these houses, where we can learn about the history of the original families as well as appreciate the architecture and furnishings which so strongly reflected their power, wealth, and social position.
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©2012 Spies of Washington Tour®