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From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh."
-Taps

  DC Events     Hello, my name is Little Duck. I am your greeter. I hope you enjoy shopping with us!


 
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Grand Re-Opening of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery

The U.S. Patent Office Building, home to both the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, opened its doors on July 1, 2006 after a monumental, six-year renovation.

The National Historic Landmark building that houses the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery has undergone extensive renovation. When the building re-opened to the public on July 1, 2006, it was greeted as a dazzling showcase for American art and portraiture that celebrates the vision and creativity of Americans. The museums will be the centerpiece of a revitalized downtown Washington, D.C. with a shared main entrance at 8th and F Streets, on the south side of the building.

In the 1990s, the Smithsonian decided to restore the building. It was clear the aging infrastructure of the building needed replacement along with other structural repairs. The intention also was to reveal for the first time the full magnificence of the building's exceptional architectural features, such as the porticos modeled after the Parthenon in Athens, a curving double staircase, colonnades, vaulted galleries, large windows and skylights as long as a city block. Full circulation on all three floors for the public-another goal of the renovation-will be restored by relocating staff offices that previously blocked off parts of the building to another location. Extraordinary effort has been made to use new preservation technologies to restore the historic fabric of the building and re-use historic materials.

After an extensive renovation of the historic Patent Office Building, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery opened to the public on July 1. The National Portrait Gallery, with its collection of nearly 20,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and photographs, portrays men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development and culture of the people of the United States.                                                                                                                    


"Temple of Invention: The History of a National Landmark"
July 1, 2006–July 8, 2007
This exhibition honors the museum’s historic home on the 170th anniversary of its cornerstone being laid by President Andrew Jackson and the completion of its glorious renovation. Begun in 1836 and completed in 1868, it was the third public building constructed by the new nation in its capital city. This landmark was praised by Walt Whitman as the "noblest of Washington buildings" and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States.

"America’s Presidents"
Permanent exhibition opened July 1, 2006


The nation’s only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House, this exhibition lies at the heart of the Portrait Gallery’s mission to tell the American story through the individuals who have shaped it. Visitors will see an enhanced and extended display of multiple images of 42 presidents of the United States, including Gilbert Stuart’s "Lansdowne" portrait of George Washington, the famous "cracked plate" photograph of Abraham Lincoln and whimsical sculptures of Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and George H. W. Bush by noted caricaturist Pat Oliphant. Presidents Washington,

Andrew Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt will be given expanded attention because of their significant impact on the office. Presidents from FDR to Bill Clinton are featured in a video component of the exhibit.

For additional information about the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, their renovation and exhibitions, see the July 2006 Smithsonian magazine.

                                                                                                                                                                                   

The new U.S. Air Force Memorial Dedicated

            

The U.S. Air Force Memorial is located in Arlington, VA on a promontory point of land known as the Naval Annex. The site overlooks the Pentagon and the Nation’s Capital in the distance. This area is also a favorite place to view the fireworks over the National Mall on the 4th of July. The site is also located near the Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Myer known for providing Honor Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown  Soldier.     

 It is located just off Interstate 395 leading into Washington, D.C. The near Metro station is         The Pentagon. It will also overlook the new memorial for those who died when the terrorists flew the plane into the Pentagon on 9-ll.  

The design of the Memorial is centered around three stainless steel spires which soar skyward. The highest of the spires will ascent 270' above the 3-acre elevated promontory site. Other key elements of the Memorial include a bronze Honor Guard, inscription walls, and an open glass Chamber of Contemplation, all landscaped to create a memorial park and parade ground.

The United States Air Force is the only branch of service without any memorial in the Washington DC area commemorating its service to the nation. The memorial is expected to be completed in Spring of 2007.

For additional information about the memorial, visit the Air Force Memorial Foundation at

http://www.airforcememorial.org/about/index.htm

                                                                                                                                                                                   

September 17  -  Constitution Day  (1787)  - The National Archives houses the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.   
 

National Archives
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC  20408
1-866-272-627

 

The Rotunda where the Charter of Freedom are displayed has been completed renovated--now handicapped-accessible.

Entrance to the Rotunda, Exhibition Halls, Theater, and Gift shop is on the street level of Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW.

Entrance to the Research Facilities (Geneaology) is on the street level of Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW.


For up-to-the-minute schedule of exhibitions, please visit  the National Archives Online Exhibit Hall at www.nara.gov/exhibit_hall/index.html.


For research information and hours, visit www.nara.gov/research_room/index.html.

The Party Animals!
 
  Were on the streets of the Nation's Capital until Early Fall of 2002!


  Party Animals Hit the Streets  -  The herd of elephants and donkeys--the enduring symbols of this country's two major political parties--moved across the city in the largest installation art project in the District of Columbia's history.  Two hundred specially designed 4.5 x 5 foot sculptures of donkeys and elephants were displayed all over Washington, D.C.  The D.C. Arts Commission received Party Animal designs from about 70 applicants from all over the world. 


     

Artists at work

  The Party Animals exhibition concluded with each sculpture being sold at a public auction this fall.  The proceeds were to be used by the D.C. Arts Commission for its grants program and art education.


         


   
 
 







"Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh."
-Taps